Ogun State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing the heavy cost of powering healthcare facilities through the adoption of clean, reliable, renewable and sustainable solar power to health facilities, across the state.

Governor Dapo Abiodun reiterated this on Thursday at the oficial launch of the Nigeria Solar for Health Project (NISHP) and Inauguration of the Steering and Technical Working Committee in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.

The governor represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, noted that the project will ensure uninterrupted service delivery, particularly in rural communities, will lower carbon emissions, support environmental sustainability, and generate employment for the youth through the training of solar technicians and maintenance teams.

He said, “This project addresses a critical gap by providing clean, renewable, and sustainable solar power to health facilities across our state.

“It will ensure uninterrupted service delivery, particularly in rural communities where the need is most critical. With this intervention, our health centres will not only have light, they will have life.”

In her remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, lamented that state and general hospitals spend over N100m monthly on disels and fuel, insisting that these resources could be redirected towards essential drugs, capacity building, and community outreach.

Coker maintained that reliable energy remains the backbone of modern healthcare delivery, stressing that no surgery could be performed, no vaccine safely stored and no delivery conducted efficiently without steady electricity supply.

The Commissioner revealed that while the state had already solarised one out of every six Primary Health Centres (PHCs), the NISHP, supported by the European Union, would provide solar power to forty additional PHCs across the state.

In his welcome address, the Project Manager, Green Economy, European Union Delegation to Nigeria, Mr. Godfrey Ogbemudia, commended the Ogun State Government for its proactive interest in the initiative right from inception, disclosing that Ogun was among the five states, alongside Plateau, Enugu, Abia, and Akwa Ibom, that demonstrated genuine commitment to hosting the Solar for Health Project.

According to him, the initiative will provide solar micro-grid solutions to public health facilities, improving service delivery and climate resilience in underserved communities.

Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Water Resources, Damilola Otunbanjo, described the project as another remarkable achievement for Ogun State.

Otunbanjo disclosed that aside health facilities nearby SMEs would also access clean energy for their operations.

“This ensures that the power illuminating hospitals also supports small businesses,” she said.

Similarly, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Energy, Babajide Onakoya, urged all members of the Steering and Technical Working Committee to approach the assignment with innovation, accountability, and a deep sense of purpose.

DAILY POST reports that the State Steering Committee inugurated had Mr Dapo Okubagejo as chairman, Olaolu Olabimtan as vice, Damilola Otubanjo as the secretary, and Dr Tomi Coker, Jagunmolu Akande, Adebola Sofela and Babajide Orakoya as members.

Members of the technical working committee include Olaolu Olabimtan, Damilola Otubanjo, Olubola Aikuola, Kayode Oladeinde, Muritala Akekunle, Dr Elijah Ogunsola, Akinyemi Otenuga, Tade Adeniyi, Kehinde Akintomide, among others.

Ogun launches solar for health project, inaugurates steering committee