Tinubu Inaugurates 79 Locally-Assembled Ambulances for Tertiary Hospitals

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has inaugurated 79 locally assembled ambulances for deployment to tertiary healthcare institutions across Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen emergency medical services and improve access to quality healthcare.

The President was represented at the ceremony in Lagos by Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo, who said the initiative forms part of the administration's healthcare reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The ambulances were provided through the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), operating under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

Strengthening Emergency Response

According to Adeyemo, the new vehicles will significantly improve the ability of tertiary hospitals to respond to emergencies, facilitate faster patient referrals, and enhance access to lifesaving treatment.

He noted that the initiative aligns with the healthcare reform agenda of Muhammad Ali Pate, which focuses on stronger healthcare infrastructure, improved emergency services, and progress toward universal health coverage.

“Healthcare facilities must be accessible when emergencies occur. These ambulances will improve the movement of patients from homes, schools, markets, highways and other locations to hospitals where they can receive timely medical attention,” Adeyemo said.

Built in Nigeria

A key highlight of the project is that the ambulances were assembled entirely in Nigeria, including the installation of emergency medical equipment.

Adeyemo described this as evidence of the country's growing capabilities in:

• Local manufacturing
• Healthcare technology
• Automobile engineering

He said the initiative supports the government's broader objective of strengthening domestic production capacity while reducing reliance on imported systems.

“These ambulances are a testament to Nigeria’s ability to produce world-class emergency response vehicles locally,” he stated.

Advanced Medical Features

The newly deployed ambulances are Advanced Life Support units equipped with:

• Modern emergency medical equipment
• Communication systems that allow hospitals to prepare before patient arrival
• Dual-fuel technology using both Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)

The dual-fuel system aligns with the government's policy on sustainability and energy diversification.

Boosting Healthcare Access

The Federal Government said the distribution of the 79 ambulances nationwide is expected to strengthen emergency response systems, improve patient outcomes, and reduce preventable deaths caused by delayed access to medical care.

Adeyemo also encouraged state governments, local councils, private hospitals, and other institutions to leverage Nigeria's growing local production capacity when acquiring emergency medical transportation equipment in the future.

The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to build a more coordinated, responsive, and accessible healthcare system across the country.