Joseph Tegbe, Nigeria's Minister of Power, has called on local and international investors to support sustainable financing models for electrifying the country's healthcare facilities. Speaking at the National Healthcare Electrification Investor Matchmaking Forum in Lagos, Tegbe described the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative (NPHI) as a major opportunity, with bankable projects across 35,000 registered primary, secondary, and tertiary health facilities. The event was organised by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in partnership with UK PACT, bringing together government officials, Chief Medical Directors, development partners, and private sector leaders. Tegbe stressed that reliable electricity is essential for healthcare delivery and said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda and current power sector reforms. He outlined key investment areas including solar mini-grids, hybrid energy systems, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), smart metering platforms, climate-resilient infrastructure, and specialised operations and maintenance services. The Federal Ministry of Power, he said, is already active through the World Bank-funded Nigeria Electrification Project, having deployed solar mini-grids and hybrid systems to health facilities. Tegbe highlighted the Electricity Act as providing the legal basis for Power Purchase Agreements, mini-grid operator licensing, and state-level involvement. He stated that the strength of the initiative lies in its structural quality, not just its vision, and that the Federal Government will ensure inter-ministerial coordination and support.
Tegbe promotes private investment in healthcare power projects while his ministry relies on World Bank funding to deploy basic solar systems. The push for private capital comes despite the government's own dependence on foreign aid for foundational energy work in health facilities. If the framework is so strong, investors may question why the Federal Ministry of Power is not funding these projects directly. Nigerians in rural clinics may wait longer for reliable power if private investors demand returns the state is unwilling to guarantee.
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