The Federal Government of Nigeria has commenced construction of a N10 billion solar mini-grid project to power the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, aiming to disconnect the seat of power from the national electricity grid due to escalating electricity costs.
The project, titled “Solarisation of the Villa with Solar Mini Grid,” is part of the 2025 budget, which saw the State House’s allocation rise from N47.11 billion to N57.11 billion, with the N10 billion forming the bulk of the capital expenditure increase.
Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, justified the initiative, citing the Villa’s unsustainable N47 billion annual electricity bill as a key driver.
“It is simply unsustainable for the Aso Rock Villa to continue paying nearly N47 billion every year on electricity alone,” Abdullahi said during a press briefing, adding that the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda to diversify energy sources and reduce governance costs.
The solar mini-grid is expected to provide reliable, clean energy to the President’s residence, administrative offices, and other critical facilities, while cutting reliance on costly diesel generators.
The announcement has sparked widespread criticism, with many Nigerians questioning the government’s priorities amid a national power crisis.
In 2024, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) reported that the Villa owed N923.87 million in electricity bills, later revised to N342.35 million after reconciliation, highlighting chronic issues with power costs and reliability.
Critics, including the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), argue that the N10 billion investment underscores a disconnect between the elite and ordinary citizens, who face erratic power supply and tariff hikes, with Band A consumers paying N209.5 per kilowatt-hour in 2025.
The Presidency, through Special Adviser Bayo Onanuga, defended the project, citing global best practices and noting that the White House in Washington, D.C., also uses solar power.
“This isn’t just about saving money on fuel and maintenance costs in the long run; it’s about leading by example,” Onanuga stated on X, sharing a video of the U.S. initiative.
However, analysts argue that the move risks reinforcing perceptions of “energy apartheid,” with the elite securing reliable power while the majority endure frequent grid collapses.
The project follows a broader push for renewable energy, with N100 billion allocated in 2025 for solar mini-grids at federal universities and hospitals, such as the University of Lagos and University College Hospital, Ibadan. Yet, with Nigeria’s power output lingering around 4,000 MW—below the promised 6,000 MW target—calls are growing for inclusive energy reforms that prioritize rural electrification and grid stability over isolated elite projects.
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