Data Governance Plan: Sustainable Energy Access in Health Facilities Across. Abuja Communities

Abstract This study explores how effective data governance can strengthen sustainable energy access for primary health facilities in Abuja, Nigeria. Many health centers face unreliable electricity, limiting their ability to provide essential services such as vaccine refrigeration, maternal care, and emergency response. Using a mixed-methods approach combining spatial mapping, data system review, and scenario modelling the study examined the relationship between data quality and energy planning outcomes across five peri-urban communities: Mabushi, Kado, Jahi, Kuje, and Utako. Three implementation scenarios were assessed: Business-as-Usual, Moderate Integration, and Full Data Governance. Results revealed that full data governance yielded the best outcomes, with up to 60% improvement in energy data reliability, faster decision-making, and stronger collaboration between stakeholders. The cost–benefit analysis showed that while initial investments in data tools and metadata systems were significant, long-term savings and efficiency gains far outweighed these costs. Policy recommendations include institutionalizing metadata standards, enhancing GIS and data-sharing capacities among the FCT Health Board, AEDC, and REA, and adopting open data dashboards for monitoring Sustainable Development Goal 7 (affordable and clean energy). The study concludes that robust data governance is foundational for equitable, transparent, and data-driven energy planning in health systems ensuring that every energy intervention meaningfully improves community well-being.