The House of Representatives has called for the installation of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in government institutions, schools, religious centres and other public buildings across the country to strengthen emergency medical response.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Muktar Shagaya during Thursday’s plenary session presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu.
A defibrillator is a medical device that delivers an electric shock to the heart to restore a normal rhythm during cardiac arrest, a condition that often occurs suddenly and requires immediate medical attention.
While presenting the motion, Shagaya expressed concern over the absence of emergency medical equipment in many government workplaces despite the large number of people who pass through them daily. According to him, cardiac arrest remains one of the leading causes of sudden deaths globally, and survival chances drop significantly if treatment is delayed.
He noted that many Ministries, Departments and Agencies, legislative complexes, courts, schools and other public institutions across Nigeria lack essential emergency medical devices such as defibrillators and trained first responders.
Shagaya cited several recent incidents of sudden deaths in public offices. One of them involved a female public servant, Pharmacist Bilkisu, who reportedly slumped and died while addressing colleagues in her office on January 5, 2026.
He also recalled the case of Andrew Essien, a senior officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, who collapsed and died at the National Assembly Complex on June 24, 2024 while on official duty.
The lawmaker further mentioned the December 11, 2025 incident involving Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who collapsed during a public engagement.
According to Shagaya, these incidents occurred in government environments where immediate access to defibrillators might have provided life-saving intervention.
He added that in countries such as United States, Canada and the United Arab Emirates, the installation of defibrillators in public buildings is mandatory as part of basic public safety measures.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to ensure the immediate installation of Automated External Defibrillators in federal government institutions, schools, NYSC camps, religious centres and other public buildings across the federation, including the National Assembly Complex.
Lawmakers also called on Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure that the devices are placed in visible locations, properly maintained and that staff members are trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of AEDs.
The House further mandated its Committees on Health and Legislative Compliance to monitor and ensure the prompt implementation of the resolution.
Health experts have long stressed the importance of placing defibrillators in public locations because cardiac arrest can occur without warning, and survival often depends on how quickly help is provided. Studies show that the chances of survival decrease significantly with every minute that passes without defibrillation.
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AEDs are designed to be easy to use and can guide bystanders through the process of delivering a life-saving shock before professional medical help arrives. For this reason, many countries have made them standard safety equipment in airports, schools, sports centres, government buildings and other busy public spaces.
Public health advocates say expanding access to such emergency medical equipment across Nigeria could greatly improve survival rates in cases of sudden cardiac arrest, particularly in crowded workplaces and institutions where immediate medical assistance may not always be readily available.
