The Federal Government has inaugurated a 4-megawatt solar hybrid power project at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH).
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, said the project was a translation of vision into concrete action, aimed at addressing the huge financial and operational burden of powering the hospital.
He recalled that six weeks ago, a technical team from the Energy Commission of Nigeria carried out an energy audit at the hospital, which revealed a connected load of 3.5 megawatts and a monthly energy cost exceeding N150 million.
According to him, the findings showed that continued reliance on diesel, costing the hospital about N1.6 million daily, was unsustainable.
“The solution prescribed by experts is a decentralized, robust and intelligent solar mini-grid system.
“That is what we are starting today, beginning with 4 megawatts and scaling up to 7 megawatts,” the minister said.
Nnaji commended Rep. Abubakar Bichi, Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, for his role in facilitating the project, describing him as a dedicated lawmaker and son of Kano State.
“The generous appropriation championed by Rep. Bichi and the National Assembly provides the fuel, while our technical expertise provides the engine.
“Together, we will deliver a project that will take AKTH off the national grid, ensuring uninterrupted power for staff and critical equipment,” he added.
The minister assured that the Energy Commission of Nigeria, under the leadership of its Director-General, Mustapha Abdullahi, had already commenced similar assessments in other tertiary hospitals and universities nationwide.
He pledged transparency, efficiency, and high standards in the implementation of the project, stressing that the initiative would stand as a lasting monument to the collective resolve of government under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Nnaji congratulated AKTH for being the first beneficiary of the programme and reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to extending the intervention to other teaching hospitals.
Earlier, Alhaji Abubakar Bichi, who represents Bichi Federal Constituency, said the intervention followed appeals made to him by Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) of the teaching hospitals during the preparation of the 2025 appropriation bill.
He recalled that in November 2024, CMD of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, among others, raised concerns over the high cost of powering critical health facilities, sometimes spending up to N200 million monthly on electricity and diesel.
According to him, the issue was discussed with the leadership of the National Assembly and later taken to President Tinubu, who directed the inclusion of funds for solar hybrid projects in the 2025 budget.
He added that the contracts for the energy projects, estimated at about N200 billion, had already been awarded, with contractors mobilised to site.
The lawmaker lauded the Ministers of Science and Technology, as well as the Energy Commission, for taking ownership of the projects, stressing that the initiative was moved from the Ministry of Power to ensure effective execution.
Bichi further lauded members of the National Assembly, the Senate President, the Speaker, and committee clerks for their collaboration in making the projects possible.
Speaking also, the Director&General of Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Mustafa Abdullahi, said the project, under the “Renewed Hope Solarisation Project”, was designed to guarantee uninterrupted power supply to the hospital.
According to him, the initiative will also ensure that the facility is completely independent of the national grid.
“Today, we are commencing the installation of a 4MW solar hybrid system with 100 per cent battery storage at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano State,” Abdullahi said.
He explained that the intervention was in line with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and aimed at addressing recurring power outages at the hospital.
Abdullahi recalled that a recent power outage at AKTH disrupted medical services and led to the deaths of three patients.(NAN)
