• Hospital without power in two months over N39.9m debt
• Facility runs on generator from 10.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. daily
• We have no major disruption in services, says Acting CMD Owoeye
The Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, has been without public electricity supply for nearly two months, following a disconnection by the power distribution company over an unpaid debt of N39.93 million.
The development has raised concerns about the welfare of patients and staff in one of the country’s leading mental health institutions.
The Guardian learnt that the public power supply, which was cut off on June 27, has condemned the critical health facility to depend on a generating set. And to save the cost of fuel, the hospital is only able to afford a three or four-hour supply daily.
Relative of a patient, Kafilat Anifowose, said the situation in the care facility was distressing.
Anifowose said: “My cousin has been in and out of this hospital for almost two years. Things just seem to be getting worse by the day. June was worse. I understand that because of the power outage, there was a water shortage, and patients had to travel a distance (unaided) to fetch water for personal use. Some of them escaped and became an issue for families.
“My cousin kept complaining of being in pitch darkness at night and having no caregiver in sight. Yet, the hospital kept increasing its fees despite the situation.
“Some of the nurses complained of not feeling safe in the wards at night and at the risk of being attacked by patients who freely use drugs and smoke weed right there in the premises of the hospital. Drug patients are coming out worse than they went into the so-called rehabilitation hospital. What is going on?” Anifowose said.
A consultant, who did not want to be quoted, confirmed that the facility was struggling “just like any other in the country”.
“The environment is not the best. It is a struggle in here. Maybe the handlers are trying their best, but things are just not adding up. We are fast falling apart,” she said.
The acting Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr Olugbenga Owoeye, confirmed the power outage, though denied the situation getting out of control.
Owoeye described the electricity bill as “outrageous,” noting that the hospital has managed to sustain operations through generator use.
He added that although the facility is currently off the grid, there is no major disruption of services. “We are running on generators and hope to reach an agreement with the distribution company soon,” he said.
However, when pressed for details, Owoeye declined to reveal the specific amount owed. He also noted that the hospital was not receiving any electricity subsidy as announced by the federal government for all public hospitals across the country. “There is no subsidy coming to the hospital at the moment,” he said.
In August 2024, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced a 50 per cent electricity subsidy for all public hospitals across the country as part of efforts to ease financial pressure due to increased utility tariffs, particularly for institutions under Band A and B categories.
Contrary to the hospital’s public statements, documents from the electricity distribution company reveal a more detailed breakdown.
According to the General Manager of Corporate Communication & Strategy, Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Babatunde Lasaki, the hospital’s disconnection was the result of long-standing unpaid debts despite a reconciliatory credit adjustment of N38.1 million in June 2025.
The company stated that disconnection notices were served and a repayment plan was agreed upon by the hospital, which committed to pay N20 million initially and another N10 million by June 25. When this promise was not fulfilled, the supply was disconnected on June 27.
“As of July 23, the power supply has been disconnected for 25 days. The institution is billed on Band A based on feeder availability and quality of supply. We remain open to restoring power once the outstanding debt is cleared,” he explained.
While hospital management claims minimal disruption, another staff member at the hospital painted a grimmer picture, revealing that the hospital runs on generator power for only a few hours daily—between 10 a.m. and 2.00 p.m.
“The patients, especially those on admission, find it extremely difficult at night when there’s no light. It creates a very uncomfortable environment and makes the staff work harder during overnight shifts,” she said.
The prolonged outage, coupled with the hospital’s inability to meet its financial obligations and the lack of government-supplied subsidies, continues to raise questions about the sustainability of healthcare delivery under current utility and economic conditions.
The electricity provider reiterated its willingness to reconnect the hospital as soon as the outstanding balance is settled, maintaining that its actions are in accordance with operational and legal guidelines.(Guardian)
