The Federal Government has taken a decisive step to end the persistent power outages plaguing Nigeria's healthcare system. On Wednesday, 4th December 2025, it officially inaugurated the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee (IMSC) for the newly created Nigeria Power-for-Health Initiative (NPHI).
A Presidential Directive to Save Lives
Inaugurating the committee in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, stated that unreliable electricity continues to disrupt critical medical services and endanger patients' lives. He revealed that President Bola Tinubu has given a direct order for the urgent resolution of the energy crisis in hospitals across the country.
"Energy is a core determinant of population health outcomes and a critical enabler for the attainment of Universal Health Coverage," Dr. Salako emphasized. He described the power insufficiency in health facilities as both a national emergency and a major disruptor of essential services.
Building a Foundational Structure for Reliable Power
The minister recalled that the journey to fortify the health sector's power supply began earlier in 2025 with a National Stakeholders' Dialogue. Following recommendations from that dialogue, President Tinubu approved the establishment of a dedicated energy coordination framework, which is now the NPHI.
Salako described the committee's inauguration as "the first step in building the foundational structure for the Nigeria Power-for-Health Initiative." The NPHI is a collaborative public-private effort jointly led by the Federal Ministries of Health and Social Welfare and Power. Its core mandate is to coordinate all electrification projects and interventions within the health sector.
Key Objectives and Structure of the Initiative
The initiative has a broad set of goals designed to create a lasting solution. The NPHI aims to:
- Strengthen policy and regulatory frameworks for health facility power.
- Standardise sustainable energy solutions like solar power across all facilities.
- Build technical capacity, mobilise financing, and expand public-private partnerships.
- Promote accountability and deepen collaboration between different sectors.
Under the approved administrative framework, the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee will be chaired by the Minister of State for Health and co-chaired by the Minister of Power. The structure also includes an Inter-Agency Technical Committee, a Project Delivery Unit, and Facility Energy Management Committees at individual health centres.
A National Duty to Protect Patients and Health Workers
Dr. Salako charged the committee members to see their assignment as a critical national duty. He stressed that reliable electricity is essential to save the lives of women and children who are at risk during power failures in operating theatres and delivery rooms.
He added that the NPHI reflects the legitimate aspirations of health workers who deserve a safe and efficient environment to care for patients. The minister also acknowledged and commended development partners, including the World Bank, and private sector stakeholders for their support in strengthening Nigeria's healthcare delivery system.
The launch of this committee signals the government's commitment to tackling one of the most infrastructural challenges facing Nigeria's health sector, with the ultimate goal of ensuring no life is lost due to a lack of power.
