Tinubu health sector power reform pledges to end deadly power outages in hospitals with bold energy investments and decentralised solutions
Tinubu health sector power reform is gaining momentum as President Bola Tinubu doubles down on his commitment to end the devastating power crisis plaguing Nigeria’s hospitals.
Also read: Tinubu Vows Bold Reform to End Power Crisis in Health Sector
Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, at the National Stakeholders’ Dialogue on Power in the Health Sector held in Abuja on Tuesday, the President declared that “no Nigerian should lose their life because of electricity interruptions in medical facilities.”
This powerful statement underscores the urgency of the situation.
From operating theatres to emergency rooms, unreliable electricity remains a deadly threat across Nigeria’s health infrastructure.
“These outages cannot continue, and under our administration, they should not. Lives are at stake. We must act now,” Tinubu emphasized in the speech, delivered by Akume and shared via media aide Yomi Odunuga.
The Tinubu health sector power reform forms a central part of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to transform public health facilities through decentralised energy systems and private-sector collaboration.
With a strong focus on renewable and hybrid energy solutions, the President noted that existing national frameworks like the Energy Transition Plan would serve as blueprints for delivering sustainable and resilient power systems to healthcare institutions.
“This initiative is not isolated; it is integral to addressing energy poverty in Nigeria,” Tinubu added, citing the ₦100bn National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative approved in August 2025.
Despite previous announcements—including a 50% electricity subsidy for hospitals and schools in 2024—implementation challenges remain.
Reports from the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria indicate many hospitals are still paying full tariffs.
Additionally, hospitals outside major cities continue to suffer from blackouts, relying on flashlights or diesel generators for surgeries and emergency care.
The Tinubu health sector power reform aims to end this dangerous dependency.
Earlier this year, the government announced budgetary allocations for hospital solarisation projects, including the University College Hospital, Ibadan, which endured a 100-day blackout that severely disrupted services.
In March, a multi-agency committee was formed to draft a national policy for health-sector energy sustainability.
Also read: Tinubu Implements Compulsory Health Insurance to Boost Coverage
With this latest push, Tinubu is making it clear that tackling healthcare’s energy failures is not just a policy goal—it is a moral imperative.
