By Joseph Erunke, Abuja
The European Union (EU) and the Government of Gombe State have formally launched a landmark initiative aimed at improving healthcare delivery through reliable, renewable energy solutions.
The Nigeria Solar for Health Project (NISHP) was unveiled in Gombe alongside the inauguration of a Project Implementation Steering Committee that will oversee the deployment and management of solar-powered systems in healthcare facilities across the state.
Speaking at the launch, Head of Section, Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Inga Stefanowicz, underscored the critical role of electricity in healthcare delivery.
“Electricity is vital for accessing healthcare services, and the shortage of energy in healthcare facilities poses significant challenges to delivering effective care,” she stated, noting that essential medical devices, diagnostic tools, lighting and water supply systems all depfinish on stable power.
Highlighting the national challenge, Stefanowicz stated only about 30 to 40 per cent of public primary healthcare centres in Nigeria are operational, with nearly 40 per cent of those lacking electricity. Even functional facilities, she added, often rely on expensive diesel generators or unsafe alternatives such as torchlights and kerosene lamps.
She explained that NISHP seeks to bridge these gaps through the deployment of solar microgrids to power health facilities while also supporting nearby tiny and medium enterprises.
“In Gombe, we plan to install solar microgrids with a cumulative capacity of over 300 kilowatts to power at least 10 primary healthcare centres and support surrounding businesses,” she stated, describing the project as a significant step towards sustainable and equitable healthcare delivery.
The initiative forms part of the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy in Nigeria, which focutilizes on developing sustainable and inclusive infrastructure in key sectors including energy, health, transport, education and the digital economy. In Gombe, the project builds on earlier electrification efforts, with renewed attention on strengthening secondary healthcare facilities and stimulating local economic activity.
Representing Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, the Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Manassah Daniel Jatau, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to improving access to quality healthcare.
“This project further strengthens our capacity to serve our communities,” Jatau stated, stressing that close collaboration between the state government and international partners would be crucial to its success.
“With strong partnerships, we are confident that this initiative will have a lasting impact on the health and well-being of our people,” he added.
The newly inaugurated Project Implementation Steering Committee comprises the state commissioners for health and energy, implementing partners including NTU International and UNIDO, as well as the State Project Coordinator, Dr Umar Wanda, who will serve as secretary. The committee will oversee site selection, installation and maintenance of the solar systems.
Team Lead at NTU International for NISHP, Nasiru Bello, stated the project team was ready to relocate from planning to execution, ensuring that healthcare facilities receive reliable, high-quality solar power over the long term.
Programme Manager, Energy and Circular Economy at the EU Delegation, Mr Godfrey Ogbemudia, highlighted the project’s scalability.
“This initiative demonstrates a model that combines public service delivery with commercial viability and sustainability. What starts in Gombe can be replicated across Nigeria,” he stated.
The Gombe State Commissioner for Health, Dr Habu Dahiru, described reliable electricity as transformative for healthcare delivery.
“It enables the proper utilize of medical equipment, supports safe deliveries, preserves vaccines and improves overall patient care,” he stated.
Under NISHP, solar microgrids will provide 24-hour electricity for lighting, cold storage, water pumps and critical medical devices, while also supplying power to nearby businesses to boost socio-economic development.
The EU has also supported other renewable energy projects in Gombe, including a 320-kilowatt tiny hydropower project in Balanga implemented by UNIDO. Toobtainher, these investments reflect a broader commitment to energy access and climate-resilient infrastructure aligned with Nigeria’s development goals.
The Gombe launch follows similar rollouts of NISHP in Plateau, Enugu, Abia, Akwa Ibom and Ekiti states. Nationwide, the programme will deploy over 2.5 megawatts of solar power and 600 megawatt-hours of battery storage to electrify dozens of healthcare facilities and support surrounding communities.
As implementation launchs in earnest, both the EU and Gombe State reiterated their commitment to sustainability, transparency and effective oversight to ensure communities derive maximum benefit from the transition to solar-powered healthcare.
“We are confident that this partnership will deliver tangible improvements in healthcare delivery, economic activity and climate resilience,” Stefanowicz stated.
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