A claim has been circulating on social media, particularly on X, alleging that some major teaching hospitals in Nigeria lack solar infrastructure.
The hospitals mentioned in the X (formerly Twitter) post include the National Hospital Abuja, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan (Oyo State), and Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika (Kaduna State).
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The post also criticized the Nigerian government for allocating ₦10billion in the approved 2025 budget for the installation of a solar mini-grid at the State House, Aso Villa in Abuja. This sparked widespread backlash online, with many users viewing it as a sign of the government’s misplaced priorities and lack of commitment to solving Nigeria’s perennial electricity challenges and the persistent instability of the national power grid.
The claim read:
National Hospital Abuja- No Solar panel. LUTH Lagos No Solar Panel. UCH Ibadan No Solar Panel. ABUTH No Solar Panel. Aso Rock 10 Billion Naira Solar Panel. The parents of those of you calling him a master deserve REFUND! MASTER STRAGIST IN CRIMINALITY!
Since the inception of the claim on April 24, 2025, it has garnered an impression of over 170,000 views alongside more than 6,000 likes and over 3,000 reposts as of May 4, 2025.
The claim was also spotted on multiple social media platforms as seen here, here and here.
CLAIM
There are no solar panels in LUTH, UCH Ibadan, ABUTH and National Hospital Abuja.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE!
Reports indicate that in 2019, Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA), in collaboration with the World Bank, commissioned solar hybrid systems in federal health institutions under the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP).
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The NEP is a joint initiative between the REA, the World Bank, and the Federal Government of Nigeria, designed to expand electricity access in underserved areas. Its components include the deployment of solar hybrid mini-grids, standalone solar home systems, and dedicated power solutions for universities and teaching hospitals.
National Hospital Abuja was among the beneficiaries of this initiative, receiving a solar mini-grid installation to support its power needs.
At the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), the Nigerian Government launched a solar-powered oxygen delivery system during the COVID-19 pandemic to bolster critical care infrastructure. LUTH has other solar installations under various donor-supported programmes.
In April 2025, one notable donation came from the Moses Adekoyejo Majekodunmi Foundation (MAMF), which donated and installed a 12.5kVA/20kW solar power system at Ward A2, significantly enhancing the hospital’s energy infrastructure.
According to a report published by The Nation in May 2024, LUTH had been under severe financial strain, spending an estimated ₦150 million monthly on electricity while receiving only ₦14 million in government subsidies. Rising gas prices also undermined its gas-powered hybrid system. In response, the hospital piloted a solar energy solution at Ward A, achieving an impressive 91.7% power supply from solar, with only 8.3% reliance on the national power grid.
Similarly in August 2023, BusinessDay reported that SAO Energy, in partnership with the Rotimi Akeredolu Foundation, installed a hybrid solar system at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. The solar project, designed to power critical areas such as the hemodialysis centre, staff quarters, and nearby communities, features a 36,000Wp PV array solar system with battery storage, generating up to 80kWh to ensure uninterrupted power for essential medical services.
While debunking allegations in response to viral social media claims that families of patients were bringing personal generators and inverters to power equipment at the UCH, Ibadan, the hospital’s spokesperson, Funmi Adetuyibi, stated that UCH had adopted a phased energy transition, beginning with critical units like the Accident and Emergency Unit, Labour Ward, Theatres, and Wards, which are already benefiting from solar inverters and diesel-powered generators.
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Additionally, in June 2024, the Chief Medical Director of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika (Kaduna State), Professor Ahmed Hamidu, announced the hospital’s long-term plan to fully transition to renewable energy, citing an unsustainable ₦75 million monthly electricity bill. He affirmed that each department and unit block would progressively migrate to solar power solutions to reduce operational costs and enhance service delivery in the hospital.
THE VERDICT
The claim that there are no solar panels in LUTH, UCH Ibadan, ABUTH and National Hospital Abuja is FALSE; multiple media reports show that these facilities have solar infrastructure including solar panels.
Seasoned fact-checker and researcher Fatimah Quadri has written numerous fact-checks, explainers, and media literacy pieces for The FactCheckHub in an effort to combat information disorder. She can be reached at sunmibola_q on X or fquadri@icirnigeria.org.
