The Federal Government has formally taken over 371 solarised Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities across 17 states following the completion of a project supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF to strengthen Nigeria’s primary healthcare system and expand access to essential health services.

The facilities were handed over during a national ceremony held at Apo Primary Health Care Centre in Abuja, with government officials and development partners describing the initiative as a major boost for routine immunisation, maternal health services and healthcare delivery in underserved communities.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, said the project reflects the government’s broader effort to strengthen primary healthcare under the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative launched by President Bola Tinubu.

Pate said the initiative demonstrates how international partnerships can translate into concrete improvements for Nigerians at the community level.

“We want to thank you for really coming together to deliver something as significant as what you have done. This is a manifestation of how the alliance and its constituents have converged to build in-country partnerships with governments,” he said.

According to him, the provision of solar power will improve vaccine storage, ensure reliable health services and enhance digital connectivity in health facilities.

“Here we have an example of federal government and global partners delivering solar power to a primary health care centre, which will enable not only the cold chain to remain intact but also incentivise health workers to be present,” Pate said.

He added that the project would help ensure medicines are stored under proper conditions while enabling data reporting and connectivity.

“It will also allow for connectivity, internet and uploading data. There are so many applications beyond that. The solar is not only going to light up the facility; even neighbouring communities will see the benefit of this enhanced life,” he said.

Pate noted that more than 4,000 PHCs are being revitalised nationwide as part of broader reforms.

“At the end of the day, it is about child health, the health of mothers, the health of the population and the health of the elderly. This is a promise kept, and we will continue to double down in that direction,” he said.

The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Muyi Aina, said the solarisation project targets underserved communities with high numbers of “zero-dose” children who have never received routine vaccines.

He explained that 371 facilities across 16 states and the Federal Capital Territory have now been equipped with solar power.

“Through this specific collaboration with Gavi and UNICEF, 371 primary health centres across 17 states have been solarised. Many of them now have reliable solar power in locations that historically had large numbers of missed children for vaccination,” Aina said.

He said the intervention will help upgrade the affected facilities to “Level Two” PHCs, meaning they now have essential infrastructure including electricity, water and sanitation.

“At level two, we now have the infrastructure, the power, the water and sanitation services and, in many instances, the manpower needed to deliver services effectively,” he added.

Aina also highlighted wider progress under the health sector renewal programme.

“In all, we are revitalising over 4,000 PHCs nationwide, with almost 2,600 already completed. Essential commodities, about 80 different items, have been distributed to every local government in the country,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Edna Harimenshi, who represented Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, said the solarisation initiative demonstrates what strong collaboration between governments and global partners can achieve in strengthening health systems.

“With the handover of these newly solarised primary health care facilities, Nigeria is demonstrating what strong leadership and effective collaboration can achieve: clean, reliable power that strengthens PHC services, protects vaccine potency, supports safe deliveries at night, and enables health workers to serve their communities with confidence,” she said.

Harimenshi noted that Gavi’s partnership with Nigeria over the past two decades has significantly improved routine immunisation coverage in the country.

“In 2001, coverage for three doses of the basic DTP vaccine stood at 27 per cent. Today it has risen to 67 per cent according to WHO and UNICEF estimates, a testament to political commitment, frontline dedication, and the power of strong partnerships,” she said.

She added that the alliance has invested more than $2.4 billion in Nigeria’s immunisation programmes and that the new solarisation investment of about $9 million is expected to benefit more than 115 million people.

“This investment marks a powerful step forward in Nigeria’s drive to reach every zero-dose and under-immunised child, while strengthening routine immunisation and preparing the country for future vaccine introductions,” she said.

Also speaking, the Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, said the project represents a major milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure.

She said the initiative demonstrates the impact of collaboration between the government and development partners.

“Through this collaboration, 371 Primary Health Centres across 16 states and the FCT have been solarised, significantly improving the energy reliability of facilities that serve millions of Nigerians,” she said.

According to her, many of the facilities were selected from “zero-dose” local government areas where immunisation gaps are highest.

“Reliable electricity is fundamental to quality health service delivery. Solar-powered facilities support vaccine cold chains, safe maternal and newborn care, essential diagnostics and continuous service delivery even during emergencies,” she said.

She assured development partners that the facilities would be properly maintained.

“As we formally receive these facilities today, the FCT and the other beneficiary states remain committed to sustaining this investment through proper maintenance and effective utilisation of the solar systems,” she added.

The project was implemented under the Gavi-CDS3 initiative, with 238 facilities installed by eHealth Systems Africa and 133 facilities in the North-East delivered by Differ Community Power, under the coordination of UNICEF and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency. (Nigerian Tribune)