The European Union (EU) has announced its readiness to commence the procurement of equipment for the Nigeria Solar for Health Project (NISHP), an initiative aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery through sustainable energy solutions. The selected states for the project are Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Enugu, Ogun, and Plateau.
This update was shared by Massimo De Luca, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation, during the second steering committee meeting held in Abuja.
- Focus on Clean Energy for Health Facilities:
- The project aims to expand access to clean, efficient, and reliable energy for public health facilities, particularly primary healthcare centers.
- Stakeholder Collaboration:
- The meeting brought together representatives from the EU, Ministry of Power, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), and other stakeholders to discuss sustainability, state ownership, and operational frameworks.
- Private Sector Engagement:
- Discussions included the integration of private sector models and collaboration with entities like American Towers, which anticipates power supply from mini-grids.
- State-Level Commitments:
- States are expected to contribute counterpart funding and ensure the sustainability of the initiative by leveraging business activities around health facilities to generate revenue.
- Ibrahim Shehu, representative of the Ministry of Power, emphasized the need for sustainability through strategic site selection and partnerships to support the healthcare value chain.
- Damilola Otubanjo, Senior Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Special Duties and SDGs, highlighted the importance of focusing on smaller primary health centers with urgent power needs.
“Ogun State is privileged to be among the beneficiaries. We must reciprocate the EU’s goodwill by ensuring the project’s success and scalability.”
About the NISHP Initiative
- Duration: 2024–2027.
- Objective: To bolster Nigeria’s healthcare system by providing solar power to public health facilities in participating states.
- Implementing Partners: GIZ, NTU, and American Towers.
The EU and its partners are committed to ensuring the long-term success of the project by addressing trust issues in digital adoption, enhancing digital literacy, and fostering collaborative frameworks. This initiative represents a significant step toward strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure and expanding access to renewable energy solutions.
