Gov. Biodun Oyebanji id Ekiti on Wednesday, launched the Nigeria Solar For Health Project (NISHP), aimed at providing reliable electricity to health centres across the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the move, was in a bid to further boost healthcare delivery, and support local economic activities in the state.
Speaking at the project launch in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, Oyebanji described the initiative as a transformative intervention that goes beyond powering healthcare facilities, but also making sure communities have access to stable and reliable energy.
The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, explained that the European Union-funded project, was designed, not only to electrify health centres, but also to serve as energy hubs for surrounding communities, particularly small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).
The Commissioner explained that the project would enable businesses located around the health centres to access electricity, in a structured and sustainable manner, paying for power, in a way that ensures continuity and maintenance of the infrastructure.
Aluko noted that the state government had fully committed to the success of the initiative, emphasising that the project had been deliberately structured to avoid the pitfalls of previous interventions, where facilities deteriorated, due to poor maintenance funding.
The commissioner added that the systems, being deployed, are comprehensive, consisting of solar panels, controllers, inverters, batteries and metering systems, to guarantee long-term functionality.
“Today is the official launch of the Nigeria Solar for Health Project in Ekiti. It is an EU-funded project, aimed at providing electricity in various health centres.
” But beyond that, these health centres are also hubs for what we call the productive use of energy.
“This includes SMEs, small and medium-scale businesses around the health centres, so they can utilize the energy and pay for power in a sustainable manner.
“Ekiti is one of seven states participating in this project and we are among the last two states to join. We are looking forward to its successful implementation.
“The state has paid its counterpart funding of N1billion naira and, the steering committee is made up of the Commissioner for Finance, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Commissioner for Health, and the DG, OSD. All of us are involved in ensuring that this project succeeds.
” On the way the project is structured, i can assure you it is bound to be viable. There are built-in sustainability mechanisms. One of the common challenges with such projects is that infrastructure is provided, but operation and maintenance become difficult over time.
“For instance, when something breaks down, the health centre may not be able to afford repairs. However, in this case, electricity will be provided, paid for, and properly metered.
“It’s not just about installing panels and batteries. As you would have noticed, the system includes solar panels, controllers, inverters, batteries and meters. This comprehensive setup ensures sustainability”.
Also speaking, the Senior Stakeholder Engagement Manager for the Nigeria Solar for Health Project, Tinyan Ogiehor, said the initiative was being implemented in seven states nationwide.
He mentioned the benefitting States to include: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Plateau, Gombe, Ekiti and Akwa Ibom, disclosing that the project would electrify about 130 health centres, and support approximately 415 SMEs across participating states.
Ogiehor explained that the model, incorporates community engagement and modest payment systems to ensure long-term maintenance and operation of the facilities.
He further revealed that participation in the project was competitive, with states required to commit ₦1 billion in counterpart funding within a specified timeframe, the condition which he said Ekiti and others, were able meet.
“The Nigeria Solar for Health Project is being implemented in seven states across Nigeria, and funded by the European Union. Ekiti is one of those states.
“The project is primarily designed to deliver solar energy for the purpose of electrifying health centres across the participating states such as Abia, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Plateau, Gombe, Ekiti and Akwa Ibom.
“We will be electrifying about 130 health centres, as well as 415 SMEs (small and medium enterprises).
“The goal of the project is to improve health outcomes in these centres while using sustainable business models to ensure that funds are collected for maintenance going forward.
“This is not the traditional donor-funded model where projects are executed and abandoned. Instead, through community engagement and structured payments even if in stipends, these systems will be maintained for years to come. That is the overall aim of the project.
“It is important to note that this project is funded by taxpayers’ money from the European Union. So, in essence, it is a gift to the country.
“However, such funding is limited. To qualify, states were required to provide counterpart funding. In June 2024, during a national engagement, all states were informed that only those that could provide ₦1 billion as counterpart funding by October would participate, on a first-come, first-served basis.
“Ekiti happened to be the seventh state to meet this requirement, which is why it is part of the project.
“So, participation was purely based on the state government meeting the criteria. This is not the first time such a solar-for-health initiative is being implemented. Similar projects have been carried out as far back as 2012.
“What has been observed is that systems installed since then are still functioning to date. These systems include battery supply and solar PV infrastructure built to top European quality standards.
“They are resilient systems designed to stand the test of time and deliver effectively. That is the type of system being deployed in this project”. He adAnother highlight of the event was the inauguration of 7-man Ekiti NISHP steering committee chaired by Professor Mobolaji Aluko and co-chaired by the State’s Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani.
