Aso Villa to cut national grid, switch to solar power over N47 billion electricity bill
By Aboki Forex —
The Presidential Villa in Abuja is preparing to disconnect from the national electricity grid and run entirely on solar power. Officials say the move is needed to stop the rising cost of energy at Aso Rock, which now stands at about N47 billion annually.
State House Permanent Secretary Temitope Fashedemi told lawmakers the solar installation was completed toward the end of 2025. It has been under technical evaluation since then. He said a full cutover is expected by March.
“The solar installation at the Villa was completed toward the end of 2025 and has remained under technical evaluation. We are hopeful that by March we will be able to effect a full cutover,” Fashedemi said.
The project received N10 billion in the 2025 budget under a programme called “Solarisation of the Villa with Solar Mini Grid”. Another N7 billion was allocated in the 2026 budget, bringing total spending to about N17 billion.
Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, said the villa’s energy expenses had become difficult to sustain. He described the current spending on grid power and diesel generators as unsustainable.
The switch is expected to cut costs and provide a more reliable power supply for the presidential complex.