The Federal Government has defended its decision to install solar panels at the Aso Rock Villa, the nation’s seat of power.
Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mustapha Abdulahi, stated that the villa’s annual power bills, estimated at around ₦47 billion, are unsustainable. This prompted President Bola Tinubu’s approval of ₦10 billion for the development of a solar power grid to supply electricity to the presidential complex.
Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, Abdulahi emphasized that the initiative aligns with the President’s broader agenda to diversify the country’s energy mix and reduce the cost of governance.
He noted that the project would provide clean, uninterrupted energy, stimulate job creation, and encourage innovation among Nigerian engineers and energy professionals, while also easing the burden on the national grid.
Additionally, he disclosed that the administration’s energy innovations have attracted about $5.3 billion in investment pledges from development partners, particularly for grid expansion projects.