Tinubu Deploys 79 Locally Assembled Ambulances to Tertiary Hospitals Across the Country

By Chioma Obinna

On Tuesday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu unveiled 79 advanced ambulances that were assembled locally and will be distributed to tertiary hospitals across Nigeria. The move is intended to enhance emergency healthcare delivery and reduce preventable deaths nationwide.

The ambulances were commissioned in Lagos by Professor Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo, Chief Medical Director of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), on behalf of the President. They will be allocated to federal tertiary health institutions under the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS).

The initiative coincides with the third anniversary of the Tinubu administration and aims to strengthen the country’s emergency response capacity.

During the ceremony, Adeyemo stated that the deployment demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to building a more responsive and integrated emergency healthcare system as part of the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He added that the ambulances would markedly improve the speed and quality of emergency medical response, especially in critical cases where delayed access to care often results in preventable deaths.

“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. This will significantly reduce avoidable deaths and complications arising from delayed access to care,” Adeyemo said.

He described the vehicles as Advanced Life Support units equipped with modern medical and communication systems that can alert hospitals ahead of a patient’s arrival, allowing faster preparation for treatment.

According to Adeyemo, the ambulances were entirely assembled in Nigeria, including the installation of emergency medical equipment, showcasing the country’s growing capacity in local manufacturing and healthcare technology.

“These ambulances are a testament to Nigeria’s ability to produce world‑class emergency response vehicles locally. Beyond improving emergency healthcare delivery, this initiative will stimulate local manufacturing, create employment opportunities and strengthen confidence in indigenous capacity,” he added.

The ambulances operate on dual‑fuel systems that use both Premium Motor Spirit and Compressed Natural Gas, aligning with the administration’s broader energy diversification and sustainability policies.

Adeyemo noted that the project aligns with ongoing health sector reforms championed by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate. These reforms focus on strengthening emergency care systems and expanding access to quality healthcare.

He emphasized that improving emergency transportation is as critical as upgrading hospital infrastructure in reducing mortality rates nationwide. “Healthcare facilities must be accessible when emergencies occur. Efficient emergency transportation is essential to saving lives,” he said.

The LUTH CMD also urged state governments, local councils and private institutions to leverage Nigeria’s growing local production capacity to meet future emergency medical transportation needs.

The Federal Government said that the nationwide distribution of the ambulances will strengthen referral systems, improve access to lifesaving care and deepen ongoing reforms aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality across the country.

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