The Federal Government has approved the installation of a ₦10 billion solar power system at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, following concerns over the high cost of electricity. Mustapha Abdullahi, Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, said the decision was driven by the need to reduce the country’s unsustainable electricity expenses, estimated at ₦47 billion each year.
According to Abdullahi, the move received President Bola Tinubu’s backing as part of a broader effort to cut governance costs and adopt alternative energy sources. In 2024, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company disclosed that the presidential villa owed over ₦923 million in unpaid electricity bills. The company also issued a 10-day disconnection warning to the villa and 86 other federal ministries, departments, and agencies over their combined ₦47.1 billion electricity debt.
Abdullahi explained that the solar project is expected to deliver consistent and eco-friendly power to the villa, reduce the burden on the national grid, and support job creation. The initiative also aims to encourage innovation among local engineers and energy professionals, signaling a shift towards more sustainable and cost-effective energy solutions for government facilities.
