By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The Federal Government on Thursday formally took over 371 solar-powered Primary Health Care ,PHC, centres across Nigeria following the completion of a $9 million solarisation project funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and implemented by UNICEF to strengthen immunisation services and improve maternal and child healthcare.

The national handover ceremony, held at the Apo Primary Health Care Centre in Abuja, brought together government officials, development partners and health experts who described the initiative as a major step toward strengthening Nigeria’s primary healthcare system and expanding access to life-saving vaccines.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammad Ali Pate, who received the facilities on behalf of the Federal Government, said the initiative demonstrates how strong global partnerships can directly improve healthcare delivery for millions of Nigerians.

He commended Gavi, UNICEF, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the World Bank and other partners for collaborating with Nigeria’s National Primary Health Care Development Agency,NPHCDA,and state health authorities to deliver the project.

According to him, the solarisation programme aligns with the broader health sector reforms of the Tinubu administration aimed at ensuring partnerships translate into tangible benefits for citizens.

“This is a manifestation of how alliances and partnerships can come together to build systems that truly serve the people,” Pate said.

He noted that reliable electricity in health facilities would significantly improve vaccine storage through stronger cold-chain systems, ensure health workers remain available at facilities, and enable the storage of essential medicines and medical supplies.

The solar systems, he added, would also support internet connectivity, data management and digital health services while benefiting surrounding communities by illuminating nearby areas and strengthening the role of PHCs as community health hubs.

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

He explained that the 371 facilities located across 16 states and the Federal Capital Territory were selected largely from 100 zero-dose local government areas with the widest immunisation gaps.

“Many of these facilities are in locations that historically had large numbers of missed children for vaccination. With reliable solar power, they can now maintain vaccine cold chains and deliver services more effectively,” Aina said.

He added that the intervention would upgrade the affected facilities to Level Two PHCs, meaning they now possess essential infrastructure such as electricity, water and sanitation.

Aina also highlighted progress under the Federal Government’s health sector renewal programme.

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

Speaking on behalf of Gavi’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Sania Nishtar, the organisation said the solarisation project demonstrates the impact of sustained collaboration between Nigeria and its development partners.

“With the handover of these newly solarised 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,” said Edna Harimenshi, who represented the alliance.

Gavi noted that its two-decade partnership with Nigeria has significantly improved routine immunisation coverage.

According to WHO and UNICEF estimates, coverage for the DTP3 vaccine,which protects children against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis,rose from 27 per cent in 2001 to 67 per cent in 2024.

The alliance disclosed that it has invested more than $2.4 billion in Nigeria’s immunisation programmes over the past two decades, with the new $9 million solarisation initiative expected to benefit more than 115 million people.

It also highlighted the challenge of unreliable electricity across sub-Saharan Africa, noting that about one in four health facilities lacks electricity while two-thirds operate without reliable power supply, affecting vaccine storage, emergency services and safe childbirth at night.

Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, described the intervention as a major milestone in strengthening healthcare infrastructure.

“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.

Fasawe assured development partners that the FCT and other beneficiary states would ensure proper maintenance of the installations.

“As we formally receive these facilities today, we 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 through a multi-agency partnership coordinated by UNICEF and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.

Under the programme, 238 facilities were solarised by eHealth Systems Africa, while 133 facilities in the North-East were installed by Differ Community Power.

The initiative also received support from the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, FCDO.