As Nigeria continues to grapple with power outages and rising electricity tariffs, the Presidency has allocated ₦10 billion in the 2025 budget for the installation of a solar mini-grid at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The initiative, framed as a move toward sustainability and cost-saving, has raised questions about the government's commitment to addressing the wider energy crisis facing the nation.
The national grid, which serves only 15% of the country’s electricity demand, has been plagued by frequent collapses, leaving millions of Nigerians to rely on expensive generators or go without power entirely. The new solar project at the Villa, however, will ensure uninterrupted power supply to government offices, while many citizens continue to suffer from an unreliable grid.
The move, while commendable for government facilities, highlights a troubling divide between the leadership and the people. While the elite will benefit from clean, renewable energy, businesses, hospitals, and households are left to contend with power cuts and inflated electricity costs.
Many are asking: If the government is willing to invest such a large sum in powering its own offices, why isn’t there a similar effort to address the energy needs of the broader population? Critics argue that this decision may signal a lack of urgency to fix the national grid, as the government becomes increasingly insulated from the power struggles that affect everyday Nigerians.
This solar project is an opportunity for the government to lead by example in renewable energy, but it must not come at the expense of the millions who still struggle to keep the lights on. If the government’s energy strategy is truly to be inclusive, it must extend beyond the walls of the Villa and work toward a solution that benefits all Nigerians.