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President Tinubu vows to end hospitals’ power crisis
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to overhauling Nigeria’s health sector, with a strong emphasis on tackling the persistent power supply crisis crippling the nation’s hospitals.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, at the National Stakeholders’ Dialogue on Power in the Health Sector in Abuja yesterday, the President declared that no Nigerian should lose his /her life because of electricity interruptions in medical facilities.
“Today, we face a pressing issue that affects every Nigerian: the persistent power supply crisis in our tertiary hospitals and public health institutions. In surgical theatres, maternity wards, intensive care units, laboratories, and emergency rooms across the country, power outages too often compromise safety, interrupt care, and cost lives. This crisis demands our immediate attention and concerted action,” he said in a statement issued by the SGF’s media aide, Yomi Odunuga.
Tinubu described the situation as unacceptable and pledged that his government would prioritise sustainable energy solutions for health facilities nationwide.
“These outages cannot continue and under our administration, they should not. Lives are at stake. We must act now,” he stressed.
The President explained that improving energy supply in healthcare is a key part of the Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to decentralise energy systems and encourage private sector participation.
“My administration is fully committed to transforming the health sector by targeting innovative solutions to its hydra-headed challenges, including sub-optimal, inefficient, and uneconomical electricity supply that drives up costs, disrupts care, compromises quality and increases patient dissatisfaction.
“This initiative to advance energy solutions in our hospitals is not isolated; it is integral to addressing energy poverty in Nigeria by deploying tailor-made solutions and fostering private sector involvement,” Tinubu added.
He reassured investors of a business-friendly environment in the health, energy, and infrastructure sectors, pledging collaboration with credible partners, particularly in renewable and hybrid energy systems.
Citing national programmes, Tinubu pointed to the Energy Transition Plan and ongoing power sector reforms as building blocks for cleaner, decentralised, and more resilient energy systems. He noted that the plan prioritises off-grid solar and hybrid systems for public institutions, with incentives, regulatory support, and innovative financing to attract investments.
Nigeria’s health sector has long grappled with underfunding, poor infrastructure, and systemic inefficiencies. Among the most dangerous challenges is unreliable power, which has repeatedly endangered patients and strained medical staff.
In August 2024, the Federal Government announced a 50 per cent electricity subsidy for hospitals and schools to ease rising energy costs. But months later, the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria reported that many hospitals were still paying full tariffs, raising doubts about the policy’s implementation.
In February 2025, Coordinating Minister of Health, Muhammad Pate revealed that the national budget had made provisions for solar projects in hospitals, including the University College Hospital, Ibadan, which had suffered a 100-day blackout that disrupted surgeries, diagnostics, and training.
Further efforts followed in March 2025 when the government convened a national dialogue and inaugurated a multi-agency committee to craft a comprehensive health-sector energy policy. And in August 2025, Tinubu approved ₦100 billion for the National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative, targeting hospitals and other public institutions.
Yet, despite these initiatives, power remains unreliable in many hospitals, especially outside major cities, where staff often resort to flashlights and diesel generators during critical procedures.
By Monire-Oluwa Lucas
Efforts aimed at further enhancing road safety in Ogun State received a boost following fresh collaborative engagement between the Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant and the State Sector Command for safer road use and general safety advocacy.
Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant reaffirmed its commitment to promoting safer roads and strengthening stakeholder collaboration as it received the newly deployed Ogun State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi, and members of his management team on a courtesy visit to the plant.
Speaking during the engagement, Ogunjobi commended Dangote Cement for its consistent support to the FRSC and its contribution to road safety initiatives over the years pointing out that the company has established itself as one of the Corps’ most reliable corporate partners through its commitment to safety and responsible transportation practices.
He said: “Dangote Cement has remained a dependable partner of the Federal Road Safety Corps over the years, and we deeply appreciate the support we have continued to receive from the company. As an organisation with extensive logistics and transportation operations, Dangote Cement understands the importance of safety on our roads. This shared commitment provides a strong foundation for even greater collaboration between our two institutions.”
The Sector Commander emphasised that promoting a culture of safety requires continuous engagement with stakeholders, particularly organisations that operate large fleets of vehicles and professional drivers.
“Road safety is not the responsibility of FRSC alone. It requires collective action from government agencies, private sector organisations, transport operators, and road users. We believe there is significant potential for us to work more closely with Dangote Cement in driving safety awareness and improving compliance with road traffic regulations,” he stated.
As part of the proposed areas of cooperation, Ogunjobi advocated the establishment of an FRSC Special Marshal Unit within the Ibese Plant, noting that the initiative would strengthen safety consciousness among employees and drivers.
“We would like to see the establishment of an in-plant FRSC Special Marshal Unit that will serve as a platform for promoting road safety advocacy and best practices among staff and transport operators. Such a unit will support specialized driver training programmes, regular sensitisation sessions, and proactive safety campaigns aimed at reducing road crashes,” he said.
He further assured the company of the Corps’ readiness to provide technical support through continuous engagement, capacity building and safety enlightenment initiatives that will ultimately benefit not just the company but all road users across the state.
Responding, the Plant Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese, Ayyagri Subbaraidu, described the FRSC as a critical stakeholder in the company’s operations and commended the Corps for its dedication to preserving lives on Nigerian roads. He assured that safety remains a central pillar of Dangote Cement’s operational philosophy and long-term growth strategy.
“The Federal Road Safety Corps plays a strategic role in our operations because transportation is a vital component of our business. We therefore recognise and appreciate the tremendous work being done by the Corps in ensuring safer roads and protecting lives,” Subbaraidu said.
He explained that the company’s Vision 2030 places strong emphasis on responsible operations, sustainability, and stakeholder collaboration, making road safety an important priority.
“Dangote Vision 2030 clearly highlights the need for stronger partnerships with key stakeholders such as the FRSC. Safety is not merely a regulatory requirement for us; it is a core value that guides how we operate every day,” he stated.
“Our commitment goes beyond the movement of products. We are committed to ensuring that our drivers, contractors, employees and every road user interacting with our operations do so in the safest possible environment.”
The United States government has announced a sweeping review of all Green Cards issued to citizens of 19 countries, following Wednesday’s attack on National Guard troops in Washington, D.C.
The Trump administration disclosed the move on Thursday after authorities identified the detained suspect as a 29-year-old Afghan national who had previously worked with American forces in Afghanistan.
According to AfghanEvac, an organisation involved in the resettlement of Afghans after the 2021 Taliban takeover, the suspect was granted asylum in April 2025, not permanent residency.
In a statement on X, the Director of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Joseph Edlow, said, “I have directed a full-scale, rigorous re-examination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern.”
The order had earlier banned nearly all nationals from 12 of those countries, including Afghanistan, from entering the United States.
Here is a full list of countries under the travel ban:
Countries with Full Travel Ban (12)
1. Afghanistan
2. Myanmar
3. Chad
4. Congo-Brazzaville
5. Equatorial Guinea
6. Eritrea
7. Haiti
8. Iran
9. Libya
10. Somalia
11. Sudan
12. Yemen
Countries with Partial Ban (7)
1. Burundi
2. Cuba
3. Laos
4. Sierra Leone
5. Togo
6. Turkmenistan
7. Venezuela
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, for questioning.
Malami served as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Malami announced the development on his Facebook page on Friday, confirming that he had received a formal invitation from the anti-graft agency.
“I would like to inform my family and friends that I have been summoned by the EFCC to provide clarification on certain matters, and as a law-abiding and patriotic citizen, I am determined to honour this invitation without any hesitation,” he wrote.
The former minister reiterated his commitment to the principles of honesty, integrity, and accountability, which he said guided his years in public service.
“I believe in the importance of honesty, integrity, and accountability in governance; these are principles that I have long supported and upheld over the years of my public service,” he added.
Malami also stated that he would keep Nigerians informed of any developments that may arise from the invitation.
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