The Federal Government has provided clarity on its decision to deploy solar panels at the Aso Rock Villa, Nigeria’s seat of power, as a strategy to tackle the rising electricity costs burdening the presidential residence.
According to Mustapha Abdulahi, Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, the Villa has been shouldering an unsustainable annual electricity bill of ₦47 billion. He disclosed that this staggering cost was a key factor behind the government’s resolve to transition the presidential villa to solar energy through a dedicated power grid.
Speaking during a press briefing on Friday, Abdulahi noted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to diversify the nation’s energy sources, minimize governance expenses, and enhance energy reliability at the highest seat of government.
He stated, “It is unsustainable for the Aso Rock Villa to continue to pay about ₦47 billion yearly in power bills, which is why President Bola Tinubu approved ₦10 billion for the installation of the solar power grid to power the presidential villa.”
Abdulahi further pointed out that the project offers more than just clean, uninterrupted energy. It is expected to generate job opportunities, promote innovation among Nigerian energy experts, and ease the strain on the national grid. He emphasized that the broader objective is to position Nigeria on a path toward energy self-sufficiency and sustainability while contributing to international green energy campaigns.
He added that some of these energy initiatives by the current administration have already attracted attention from global development agencies, who are now investing in Nigeria’s energy infrastructure.
“The current administration’s innovations have attracted interest from development partners, who have earmarked about $5.3 billion for investments in Nigeria’s power sector, particularly for grid expansion,” Abdulahi revealed.
The Aso Rock Villa Electricity Bill Controversy
In 2024, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) raised concerns over unpaid electricity debts when it published a notice titled “Notice of Disconnection,” alleging that the presidential villa owed ₦923.87 million in outstanding bills.
The AEDC threatened to disconnect power at the Villa and to several other government agencies unless a ₦47.1 billion cumulative debt owed by Aso Rock and 86 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) was settled within 10 days.
However, President Tinubu swiftly intervened to prevent power disconnection at the presidency. According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the president promptly ordered the settlement of the Villa’s power bill after a thorough account reconciliation between the State House and AEDC.
Onanuga clarified that the verified outstanding debt was ₦342,352,217.46, significantly lower than the ₦923 million initially claimed. Both parties resolved the matter amicably, and Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, assured that the outstanding amount would be cleared before week’s end.
Onanuga further urged other MDAs to reconcile their records with AEDC and pay up their overdue electricity bills to prevent future service disruptions across government offices.
