The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has called on local and international investors to support sustainable financing initiatives aimed at improving electricity supply to healthcare facilities across Nigeria, describing the sector as one of the continent’s most promising investment destinations.
Tegbe made the appeal at the National Healthcare Electrification Investor Matchmaking Forum held in Lagos under the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative, NPHI, an intervention designed to strengthen energy access in health institutions and improve service delivery nationwide.
According to a statement by Clement Ezeorah, Deputy Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Power, the minister stressed that reliable electricity is a critical requirement for effective healthcare delivery and remains central to the Federal Government’s efforts to improve health outcomes across the country.
He noted that the objectives of the NPHI align with ongoing reforms in the power sector and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that the initiative offers a strategic platform for integrating energy planning into healthcare infrastructure development.
The minister explained that the programme would encourage the deployment of grid enhancement projects, renewable hybrid energy solutions and stronger collaboration among power sector agencies, healthcare authorities, regulators and private investors.
Tegbe highlighted the vast opportunities available to investors, pointing out that Nigeria has more than 35,000 registered healthcare facilities spanning primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
He said these institutions provide a substantial pipeline of bankable projects in areas such as solar mini-grids, battery storage systems, smart metering technologies, energy management platforms and climate-resilient infrastructure.
He assured investors of the Federal Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment through policy support and effective inter-ministerial coordination.
He also noted that the Ministry of Power has already deployed solar mini-grids and hybrid energy systems to healthcare facilities through the World Bank-supported Nigeria Electrification Project.
According to the minister, the Electricity Act has provided a robust regulatory framework for structuring power purchase agreements, licensing mini-grid operators and promoting state-level participation in electricity development.
Tegbe further reaffirmed the administration’s determination to deliver measurable improvements in the power sector, particularly in healthcare institutions, while positioning Nigeria as a leading destination for quality healthcare services in Africa.
Also speaking at the forum, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Isiaq Adekunle Salako, described the NPHI as a transition from donor-dependent infrastructure projects to a sustainable Energy-as-a-Service model in which specialized providers finance, deploy and maintain power systems for healthcare facilities.
Salako said the initiative is expected to address persistent energy challenges affecting operating theatres, diagnostic services, cold-chain systems and emergency healthcare delivery.
He added that the programme is built on blended financing, institutional readiness and scalability, with plans to expand from federal tertiary hospitals to healthcare facilities across the country.
He noted that a dedicated governance structure has been established to drive implementation and attract greater private-sector participation in healthcare electrification efforts.
