No Nigerian Should Die from Power Failure in Hospitals

No Nigerian Should Die from Power Failure in Hospitals – Tinubu
Odunuga noted that power failures often compromise safety, disrupt care, and sometimes cost lives
The president explained that strengthening power supply in healthcare facilities is part of the broader Renewed Hope Agenda

President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s resolve to address the persistent electricity challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare facilities, stressing that no Nigerian should lose their life because of power outages in hospitals, Eko Hot Blog reports.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, at the National Stakeholders Dialogue on Power in the Health Sector on Tuesday, Tinubu described frequent outages in tertiary hospitals and public health institutions as a critical national concern.

EDITOR’S PICK

“Today, we face a pressing issue that touches every Nigerian: the persistent power supply crisis in our tertiary hospitals and public health facilities,” the president said in a statement issued by the SGF’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga.

He noted that power failures in operating theatres, maternity wards, intensive care units, laboratories, and emergency rooms often compromise safety, disrupt care, and sometimes cost lives.

“This crisis requires urgent and collective action,” Tinubu declared, describing the situation as unacceptable. He assured that his administration would prioritise sustainable energy solutions for hospitals nationwide. “These outages cannot continue, and under our government, they must not. Lives are at stake. We must act now.”

The president explained that strengthening power supply in healthcare facilities is part of the broader Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to decentralise energy generation and encourage private sector participation.

“My administration is fully committed to transforming the health sector by pursuing innovative solutions to the complex challenges it faces, including the inefficient and uneconomical electricity supply that raises service costs, interrupts care, compromises quality, and increases patient dissatisfaction,” he said.

Tinubu also assured private investors of a supportive environment in the health, energy, and infrastructure sectors, pledging to collaborate with credible partners, particularly in renewable and hybrid energy systems.

Citing national initiatives already underway, he pointed to the Energy Transition Plan and Power Sector Reform programmes as key foundations for a cleaner, more resilient, and decentralised energy system across the country.

According to him, these efforts will focus on providing off-grid solar and hybrid solutions for critical public infrastructure while introducing incentives, supportive policies, and innovative financing models to attract investment.

Despite past measures, such as a 50 per cent electricity subsidy for public hospitals announced in August 2024 and a ₦100 billion allocation for the National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative in August 2025, many hospitals still face unreliable power supply, especially outside major urban centres.

The president’s remarks highlight longstanding systemic challenges in Nigeria’s health sector, including poor funding, weak infrastructure, and erratic electricity supply, which continue to affect patient care, drive medical tourism, and contribute to the migration of healthcare professionals.

EDITOR’S PICK

FURTHER READING