EU to Begin Equipment Procurement for Nigeria’s Solar for Health Project in Five States
The European Union (EU) is set to begin the procurement of equipment for the Nigeria Solar for Health Project (NISHP), with a focus on five selected states: Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Enugu, Ogun, and Plateau. This announcement was made by Massimo De Luca, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation, during the second steering committee meeting of the NISHP in Abuja on Thursday.
De Luca confirmed that the EU is ready to commence the procurement process for the project, which aims to expand access to clean, efficient, and reliable energy for healthcare facilities in the selected states. He reiterated the EU’s commitment to the project, emphasizing its importance in improving energy supply in public health centers.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the EU, the Ministry of Power, the Rural Electrification Agency, and telecom providers such as American Towers, to discuss critical issues related to sustainability and operational planning for the solar health projects. The discussions centered around ensuring state ownership, defining stakeholder responsibilities, and establishing long-term maintenance and distribution plans.
A representative from NTU International, a stakeholder manager for the project, highlighted the focus on developing private sector models to ensure sustainability and operational efficiency at the state level. The goal is to establish strategies for ensuring that the solar systems can be maintained and operated effectively.
Ibrahim Shehu, representing the Director of Renewable Energy and Rural Access at the Ministry of Power, praised the initiative, emphasizing its potential to empower Primary Health Care (PHC) centers. He stressed the importance of sustainability and the role of state governments in supporting the project. He also noted that business activities around health facilities could generate revenue to maintain the solar systems, further strengthening the healthcare value chain.
Damilola Otubanjo, the Senior Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Special Duties and SDGs, and a renewable energy engineer, expressed strong support for the project, particularly in deploying solar solutions to smaller PHC centers with significant power needs. Otubanjo reiterated Ogun State’s commitment to ensuring the success of the project and expanding its reach beyond just distribution.
The NISHP, which will run from 2024 to 2027, is designed to enhance Nigeria’s healthcare system by providing solar power to public health facilities in the participating states. The project is being implemented by GIZ, NTU, and American Towers.
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