The Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) has commenced the construction of a 7-megawatt solar power project at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), a move aimed at guaranteeing uninterrupted electricity supply for one of Nigeria’s leading healthcare institutions.
The initiative, spearheaded by ECN in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, is part of efforts to cut the hospital’s dependence on the national grid and expensive diesel generators.
According to the Director-General of ECN, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, the project is the outcome of a comprehensive energy audit and strategic planning exercise, which revealed the unsustainable cost of diesel and the risks posed by unstable power supply to critical healthcare delivery.
The development comes just days after AKTH suffered prolonged power outages that reportedly led to the death of patients in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit. Dr. Abdullahi said the tragic incident reinforced the urgency of the intervention.
“With this solar installation, we are ensuring that such tragedies are prevented in the future and that critical medical services can operate without fear of disruption,” Abdullahi stated.
He described the project as a practical demonstration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that the ECN is committed to people-centered energy transition initiatives that prioritize hospitals, schools, and essential institutions.
“This is not just about powering institutions; it is about saving lives, restoring confidence, and securing a brighter future for Nigerians,” the ECN boss said.
The 7MW solar facility, once completed, is expected to significantly improve healthcare delivery at AKTH, reduce operating costs, and serve as a model for renewable energy adoption across Nigeria’s health sector.