News Highlights:
- IHS Nigeria and UNICEF’s Oxygen Plant Boosts Emergency Healthcare Delivery in Oyo State
- Impact Assessment Affirms Sustainability and Lifesaving Reach of IHS-UNICEF Partnership
IHS Nigeria, a subsidiary of IHS Holding Limited (“IHS Towers”)—one of the world’s largest independent operators and developers of shared telecommunications infrastructure by tower count, has continued its nationwide impact assessment of oxygen plant projects donated to hospitals across the country.
Digital TimesNG reports that as part of this initiative, representatives of the company visited Jericho Specialist Hospital in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. The visit was aimed at evaluating the current operational state and impact of the oxygen plant installed at the facility.
The oxygen plant, jointly donated by IHS Nigeria and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in May 2024, forms part of the company’s broader corporate social responsibility efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system.
Ahead of a tour of the facility, the IHS and UNICEF team were received at the Oyo State Ministry of Health by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Adewunmi Ajetunmobi alongside the Permanent Secretary and other Directors from the Ministry and the Oyo State Hospital Management Board.
The visit, led by senior officials from IHS Nigeria and UNICEF, provided an opportunity to evaluate the plant’s operational efficiency, its integration into critical care delivery, and its broader impact on the state’s healthcare system.
Titilope Oguntuga, Director, Sustainability, IHS Nigeria remarked: “At IHS, sustainability is at the core of everything we do. Our focus spans four key pillars which are Ethics & Governance, Environment & Climate Change, People & Communities and Education & Economic Growth. This oxygen plant initiative speaks directly to our commitment to people and communities.
“As we assess the progress of this project, we are reminded of its alignment with key Sustainable Development Goals, including good health and well-being, responsible consumption, and partnerships for the attainment of the SDG goals.”
“We are here not just to inspect the plant, but to witness the impact, strengthen relationships, and continue building a partnership that delivers real value to Nigerians.” She added.
Health Specialist, UNICEF Lagos, Dr. Olufemi Adeyemi commented: “It is a pleasure to witness the results of our strong collaboration with IHS Nigeria and Oyo State. On behalf of UNICEF, I want to sincerely thank the state for providing an enabling environment that makes impactful partnerships like this possible.
“We are here to assess how well the oxygen plant is performing. We no longer want to see lives lost due to a lack of oxygen. We want to be assured that the investment made is truly saving lives and delivering the impact it was intended to.”
Commissioner of Health, Oyo State, Dr. Oluwaserimi Adewunmi Ajetunmobi expressed appreciation for the initiative, saying: “This partnership between IHS Nigeria and UNICEF is a testament to the power of collaboration in strengthening our healthcare system. The oxygen plant at Jericho Specialist Hospital has become a critical asset in our fight to reduce avoidable deaths, especially among newborns and vulnerable patients.
“It is not just a donation; it is a life-saving intervention that has redefined emergency response capabilities in the state. We commend IHS Nigeria and UNICEF for their foresight, dedication, and long-term commitment to healthcare delivery in Oyo State.”
Dr. Akintunde Ayinde, Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Health commented on the significance of the oxygen plant and the broader impact of the partnership.
“Before COVID-19, oxygen therapy was not prioritized in most hospitals, government or private. But when the crisis hit, IHS Nigeria and UNICEF didn’t just donate equipment, they identified the gap and moved quickly to close it. This oxygen plant has completely transformed our emergency response system. We’ve gone from scarcity to stability. Patients who once struggled to access oxygen especially those who couldn’t afford it now receive it without delay.”
“Beyond the donation, IHS and UNICEF brought us a sustainability model, trained engineers, and introduced a more efficient, solar-powered oxygen management system. We’re now extending oxygen access to primary and secondary care centres and even supplying private clinics in crisis. For me, this initiative is not just impactful, it is lifesaving. We are truly grateful and committed to building on this collaboration to ensure long-term impact,” he added.
The oxygen plant is equipped with 50 units of 6-cubic-meter cylinders and 150 units of 3 cubic meter cylinders that currently supplies both private and public hospitals including primary health centres all over Oyo state.
The hospital management acknowledged the difference the plant has made in ensuring prompt availability of oxygen even for primary healthcare centres that are unable to pay, and in improving the medical outcomes for many patients who need oxygen as part of their management.
Recall that earlier this year, the team had visited the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, to evaluate the operational status and impact of the oxygen plant installed in Ogun.
