The Federal Government has commissioned a 400-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant at the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital, Damaturu. This is a major step in decentralizing Nigeria’s energy access and strengthening renewable energy use in healthcare.
Commissioned under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the project aims to reduce power outages, cut operational costs, and ensure sustainable healthcare delivery. Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Mamuda Mamman, said the installation is critical for medical services like surgeries, vaccine storage, and diagnostics.
“This solar power plant reaffirms our commitment to delivering sustainable and inclusive energy solutions for socioeconomic growth,” Adelabu said.
The current 400kW capacity is the first phase, with plans to scale up to 1 megawatt (MW). The project aligns with the Electricity Act 2023, which promotes off-grid energy for remote or underserved areas and introduces incentives like Feed-in Tariffs to support renewable energy growth.
Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, represented by his deputy Alhaji Idi Gubana, praised the federal government for prioritizing the state. He highlighted the project’s importance in reducing hospital operating costs, especially with the facility’s expansion from 250 to 750 beds.
Dr. Muhammad Lawan Gana, Yobe’s Health Commissioner, emphasized the project’s impact on maternal and child care. He noted it would ensure uninterrupted use of vital diagnostic tools like MRI and 3D ultrasound machines.
“This is a clear example of productive collaboration between the federal and state governments to transform public health infrastructure,” Gana said.
The solar plant is expected to boost energy reliability, create jobs in the renewable energy sector, and attract private investment in Nigeria’s decentralized energy space. The government plans to roll out similar projects in other regions to support hospitals, schools, and public institutions with clean and reliable energy.
