Unicef
The Global Vaccine Alliance and UNICEF on Thursday officially handed over the Primary Health Care Solarisation Project to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The initiative, organised by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, covers 371 solarised primary health centres across 17 states.
Speaking at the ceremony held in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, said the project would improve access to essential services in off-grid communities, enhance vaccine cold-chain management, and ensure uninterrupted healthcare delivery at primary health centres nationwide.
“The foundations of a resilient health system have been laid and are being strengthened through domestic resource mobilisation by both the Federal Government and states, complemented by development partners,” he said.
He noted that partnerships between the government and global health organisations had helped improve immunisation coverage and primary healthcare services, with more than 47 million visits recorded at primary health centres.
He added that Nigeria had conducted one of the largest integrated vaccination campaigns in Africa, targeting over 100 million children with measles, rubella and other interventions, supported by more than $100m from Gavi.
On the supply of the Human Papillomavirus vaccine, the minister said an upcoming shipment would address shortages in some states, stressing that stockouts were not unique to Nigeria but reflected global demand for the vaccine.
He commended the leadership of the ministry for meeting Nigeria’s vaccine co-financing obligations in 2024, which enabled the procurement of life-saving vaccines.
He also noted that while coverage of the DTP3 vaccine had improved significantly since 2001, more work remained to ensure that every child received essential immunisation.
He stressed that sustaining these gains would require increased investment in health by all levels of government and households.
“Healthcare is not cheap; it is an investment. When governments invest, and partners complement those investments, the system becomes sustainable,” he said.
The minister commended development partners, including UNICEF and the World Health Organisation, for supporting Nigeria, where domestic resources were limited and expressed confidence that continued reforms would enable the country to fully assume responsibility for financing its health programmes.
He said the handover of the solarised primary health centres would strengthen service delivery in underserved communities and improve vaccine cold-chain management, contributing to a more resilient and self-sufficient health system.
The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NPHCDA, Dr Muyi Aina, said, “The strategic partnership that the Nigerian government has with all of our partners here is very crucial in our efforts to strengthen primary health care and deliver our basic services to our citizens.
“Through this specific collaboration with Gavi and UNICEF that brought us here today, 371 primary health centres across 17 states, including the FCT, have been solarised, meaning we now have solar power. We targeted zero-dose locations, which are communities where many children have missed vaccination.
“This is helping these facilities reach what we call level two. As you will recall, being at level two means we now have the infrastructure, the power supply, water and sanitation services, and in many instances the manpower.
“We are also providing equipment and commodities through the leadership, and this aligns perfectly with the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative flagged off by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu about two years ago.”
Also speaking at the event, the Mandate Secretary for Health at the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Dr Dolapo Fasawe, on behalf of the beneficiary states, commended Gavi, UNICEF, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the NPHCDA and other partners.
“Today, we celebrate not only the installation of solar systems but also stronger health systems, improved immunisation services and renewed hope for communities that depend on primary health centres as their first point of care.
“On behalf of the beneficiary states, I once again express our deep appreciation to Gavi, UNICEF, FCDO, NPHCDA and all partners for this impactful intervention,” Fasawe said.
The solarised primary health centres are expected to improve healthcare services, particularly in areas with unreliable electricity supply, and support routine immunisation efforts. The project targets Nigeria’s 100 zero-dose local government areas, where many children remain unvaccinated and lack access to essential healthcare services.
