In a major push towards energy sustainability and cost reduction, the Federal Government has provided details behind its decision to install solar panels at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Friday, the Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mustapha Abdulahi, revealed that the Aso Rock Villa currently spends about ₦47 billion annually on electricity bills, a figure he described as “clearly unsustainable.”
Abdulahi explained that, in response to this alarming cost, President Bola Tinubu recently approved a ₦10 billion investment for the installation of a solar power grid at the nation’s seat of power. According to him, the project will drastically cut the villa’s energy expenses while also aligning with the administration’s broader commitment to transition towards cleaner and more reliable energy sources.
“The cost of maintaining power supply to the Presidential Villa under the current arrangement is too high. It does not reflect prudent financial management, especially when renewable energy alternatives are now readily available and increasingly affordable,” Abdulahi stated.
He added that the solar power project would not only ensure a more stable power supply at the Villa but also serve as a model for other government institutions across the country to embrace renewable energy solutions.
Sources within the Energy Commission also indicated that the project would involve Nigerian solar energy firms and create jobs for local engineers and technicians, further boosting the renewable energy sector.
The move is part of the broader “Renewable Nigeria” initiative launched earlier this year, aimed at reducing dependence on the national grid and promoting energy self-sufficiency among government establishments.
More updates on the timeline and technical details of the solar installation are expected in the coming days.
