Precious Anga
Lagos — Nigeria’s seat of power is set to exit the national electricity grid as the Presidency moves to cut a staggering ₦47 billion annual energy bill through a dedicated solar power system.
The decision follows the completion of a solar mini-grid project at the Presidential Villa, a move that signals a major shift in how critical government infrastructure is powered amid persistent challenges in Nigeria’s electricity sector.
State House Permanent Secretary, Temitope Fashedemi, disclosed that the solar installation was completed towards the end of 2025 and has undergone technical evaluation ahead of a full transition.
“The solar installation at the Villa was completed toward the end of 2025 and has remained under technical evaluation. We are hopeful that by March we will be able to effect a full cutover,” Fashedemi said.
The Federal Government allocated ₦10 billion for the project in the 2025 budget under the Solarisation of the Villa with Solar Mini Grid programme and provided an additional ₦7 billion in the 2026 budget, bringing total investment to about ₦17 billion.
Authorities say the project is designed to reduce energy costs, improve power reliability and lessen dependence on diesel generators, which have long served as backup power sources for the Presidential Villa.
Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mustapha Abdullahi, said the current electricity expenditure at the Villa could no longer be justified.
“It is unsustainable for the Aso Rock Villa to continue to pay about ₦47 billion yearly in power bills,” Abdullahi said.
Large sections of the Villa, including open spaces and parking areas, have already been fitted with solar panels and battery storage facilities capable of providing uninterrupted electricity supply. While backup generators will remain in place, officials expect diesel consumption to decline significantly once the system becomes fully operational.
The project has sparked debate within the power sector. Supporters view it as a practical response to rising energy costs and recurring grid instability, while critics argue that the decision raises questions about confidence in the national electricity network.
Nigeria continues to grapple with chronic power shortages, frequent grid collapses and inadequate generation capacity, forcing households, businesses and public institutions to rely heavily on self-generation.
For the Tinubu administration, however, the transition is being presented as part of a broader push towards renewable energy adoption and energy security. The move also positions the Presidential Villa as one of the largest public-sector users of solar power in the country.
As the government prepares to disconnect Aso Rock from the national grid, attention is likely to shift to whether similar renewable energy projects will be deployed across other federal institutions facing rising electricity costs and unreliable power supply.
