Tinubu health sector power reforms prioritised as President vows to end electricity outages in hospitals and expand renewable energy solutions
Tinubu health sector power reforms are taking center stage as President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling the electricity crisis crippling Nigeria’s hospitals.
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Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, at the National Stakeholders’ Dialogue on Power in the Health Sector in Abuja, the President declared that no Nigerian should lose their life because of power interruptions in medical facilities.
“Today, we face a pressing issue that affects every Nigerian: the persistent power supply crisis in our tertiary hospitals and public health institutions.
In surgical theatres, maternity wards, intensive care units, laboratories, and emergency rooms across the country, power outages too often compromise safety, interrupt care, and cost lives.
This crisis demands our immediate attention and concerted action,” Tinubu said in a statement issued by his media aide, Yomi Odunuga.
Describing the situation as unacceptable, Tinubu pledged to prioritise sustainable energy solutions for hospitals nationwide.
“These outages cannot continue, and under our administration, they should not. Lives are at stake. We must act now,” he stressed.
The President explained that improving energy reliability in healthcare is central to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to decentralise energy systems and encourage private sector participation.
He also assured investors of a business-friendly environment for renewable and hybrid energy projects targeting hospitals and public institutions.
Citing national programmes, Tinubu highlighted the Energy Transition Plan and ongoing power sector reforms as pathways to cleaner, decentralised, and resilient systems.
He said these efforts will prioritise off-grid solar and hybrid solutions for hospitals with incentives, regulatory support, and innovative financing to attract investments.
Nigeria’s health sector has long battled underfunding, poor infrastructure, and systemic inefficiencies. Among the most dangerous challenges is unreliable power, which has repeatedly endangered patients and strained medical staff.
Despite previous measures—including a 50 per cent electricity subsidy for hospitals announced in 2024, provisions for solar projects in the 2025 budget, and a ₦100bn National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative approved in August 2025—power supply remains erratic, especially in rural hospitals.
Medical workers continue to rely on diesel generators and even flashlights during critical procedures, underscoring the urgency of Tinubu’s renewed pledge.
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The Abuja dialogue is expected to chart a new course by bringing government agencies, investors, and healthcare leaders together to craft practical solutions for one of Nigeria’s most pressing crises.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
