By Abdullahi Lukman & Faridat Salifu
The Federal Government has launched a ₦10 billion solar mini-grid project to power Aso Rock Presidential Villa, signaling a major move toward renewable energy and an implicit admission of the national electricity grid’s persistent failure.
Currently being executed by Julius Berger, in collaboration with renewable energy company Bartum Energy, the project is already visible across key sections of the Villa, including the Banquet Hall parking lot and areas near the lake, which have been converted to solar panel installation zones.
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Listed in the 2025 national budget under code ERGP202502463, the solar initiative accounts for over 17 percent of the Villa’s revised ₦57 billion capital allocation—raising eyebrows among stakeholders already expressing concern about fiscal discipline and the nation’s energy priorities.
While the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s push for sustainability and energy transition, critics argue that the government should have prioritized fixing the national grid to benefit the broader population.
Despite having an installed capacity of about 14,000 megawatts, the grid delivers only around 4,500MW, leaving most homes and businesses dependent on fossil fuel generators or turning to solar alternatives.
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) reported that industries spent over ₦1 trillion in recent years on self-generation, while many households have adopted off-grid energy solutions due to ongoing blackouts and rising costs of diesel and grid tariffs.
Energy analysts say that while Aso Rock’s solar shift may be forward-thinking, it underscores deep-rooted issues of energy inequality, infrastructure neglect, and a sluggish pace of power sector reform in a country of over 200 million people.
