Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) has secured an independent power source with the commissioning of a 7-megawatt solar power farm, funded by the Federal Government.
The multi-million-naira project, unveiled by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, is designed to provide uninterrupted electricity supply, reduce the hospital’s reliance on the national grid, and cut its monthly power costs running into hundreds of millions of naira.
The commissioning comes just days after the hospital suffered a three-day power outage that resulted in the deaths of three patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The outage was linked to a disconnection by the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO).
Speaking at the event, Chief Nnaji said the project followed a detailed energy audit by the Energy Commission of Nigeria, which showed that AKTH’s connected load of 3.5MW and monthly diesel expenses of about ₦150 million made fossil fuel-based power unsustainable.
“The solution is a decentralized, robust solar mini-grid. We are starting with 4MW and scaling up to 7MW. This will not only save costs but also guarantee uninterrupted power for thousands of staff and critical life-saving equipment,” Nnaji said.
The Chief Medical Director of AKTH, Prof. Abdulrahman Abba Sheshe, described the development as a “historic milestone” for the hospital and Nigeria’s health sector.
“Power is the lifeline of every hospital. With this project, AKTH becomes the first hospital in Nigeria to operate independently of the national grid. This will enhance service delivery and ensure patients on life support are no longer endangered by power outages,” he said.
Prof. Sheshe also announced new welfare initiatives, including free neonatal care for indigent parents, free Caesarean sections for low-income patients, and an emergency ambulance service to respond to critical cases outside the hospital.
Meanwhile, a coalition of 22 civil society organizations in Kano expressed grief over the deaths of the three patients during the power outage.
In a joint statement, the coalition called for the constitution of an independent investigative committee to assess AKTH’s emergency preparedness, including its backup power systems, and to review KEDCO’s role in the incident.
“This tragedy must serve as a defining moment for Kano State; a moment not of despair, but of resolve. The lives lost must not be reduced to mere statistics but become the catalyst for systemic change,” the statement read.
The coalition pledged to monitor developments, mobilize public advocacy, and demand transparency until accountability is achieved.
