₦300bn Electricity Support for Hospitals, Universities Delayed

A ₦300 billion federal government initiative to secure a stable electricity supply for federal teaching hospitals and universities has not yet been fully implemented.

This delay raises concerns among stakeholders about ongoing power outages and high operational costs affecting vital public institutions across the country.

The funding, included in the 2025 national budget, was meant to support renewable and hybrid energy solutions, especially solar power systems. These systems were to provide uninterrupted electricity for healthcare and education services.

Budget Was Voted, Implementation Has Lagged

In September 2025, the Federal Government approved around ₦300 billion through the House Committee on Appropriation to address power shortages in universities and teaching hospitals nationwide.

The funds were to help install solar hybrid systems and other power solutions at federal institutions, aiming to reduce the ongoing blackout issues impacting service delivery.

Abubakar Bichi, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, stated at the time that this funding was part of the administration’s effort to end frequent outages in critical sectors. “This intervention is designed to guarantee uninterrupted power for hospitals and universities so that doctors can save lives and students can study without disruption,” he said.

As of early 2026, the ₦300 billion electrical support for Nigerian federal hospitals and colleges has not yet been implemented. There is also no publicly available proof of finished projects.

Government representatives have acknowledged that money has not yet been disbursed, forcing institutions to depend on expensive diesel generators and frequently erratic grid connections.

Bolaji Tunji, the Minister of Power’s Special Adviser on Media, confirmed the delay saying “Zero funding has been released for the 2025 budget for the project, so there has been no progress on the project.”

Hospitals and Universities Still in Darkness

The delay in launching the funded power projects has increased scrutiny of the federal government’s promises.

Institutions unable to pay high electricity tariffs face long outages, sometimes lasting months. For instance, the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan experienced extensive power cuts after its grid supply was cut due to unpaid bills.

This situation disrupted clinical services and led to protests from both students and staff.

Healthcare providers and observers argue that ongoing delays in using the promised funds hinder efforts to stabilize power in facilities where reliable electricity is crucial for patient care.

Why It Matters

Nigeria’s power sector remains weak. Despite reforms and targeted funding, many public universities and major hospitals still rely on costly diesel generators and inconsistent grid connections to operate.

This reliance significantly impacts institutional budgets and service quality.

Efforts to introduce solar and hybrid energy solutions through the Rural Electrification Agency and other organizations have made some progress, but a nationwide rollout is lagging.

The slow implementation of this vital funding, especially in health and education, raises questions about the government’s ability to execute plans and turn budget promises into real improvements in service delivery.