In a landmark shift that could redefine energy use at Nigeria’s highest seat of power, the Aso Rock Presidential Villa is preparing to disconnect entirely from the national electricity grid by March 2026.
The Federal Government says the transition to a solar-powered mini-grid is now in its final phase, with testing and technical evaluations already underway.
Solar Takeover at the Villa
Speaking during the 2026 budget defence before the Senate Committee on Special Duties, Permanent Secretary of the State House, Temitope Fashedemi, confirmed that installation of the solar infrastructure was completed toward the end of 2025.
According to him, the system is currently undergoing performance checks, with full migration expected within the first quarter of 2026.
If successful, the move will make the Presidential Villa largely energy independent — drastically reducing reliance on the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and diesel-powered generators.
To prove the model works, Fashedemi pointed to the State House Medical Centre, which has been operating mostly on solar power since May 2025. The facility now functions largely off-grid, using generators and public electricity only as backup.
₦17 Billion Solar Bet
The ambitious energy switch comes at a significant cost. The Federal Government allocated ₦10 billion for the project in the 2025 budget, while the 2026 Appropriation Bill proposes an additional ₦7 billion to complete it — bringing total planned spending to ₦17 billion.
The investment has sparked debate.
Critics argue that powering the Presidential Villa with solar panels while millions of Nigerians battle erratic electricity supply sends the wrong message and reflects dwindling confidence in the national grid.
But government officials insist the decision is economic, not symbolic.
Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mustapha Abdullahi, previously described the Villa’s electricity costs as “unsustainable,” citing an estimated ₦47 billion annual energy bill before the transition began.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga has also defended the move, noting that global government complexes — including the White House — have embraced renewable energy as part of modern governance standards.
Debt, Overbilling and Legacy Liabilities
Before the solar rollout, Aso Rock was one of AEDC’s biggest public-sector debtors.
In February 2024, the distribution company disclosed an outstanding bill of ₦923.87 million owed by the Villa. Following reconciliation, the amount was reduced to ₦342.35 million — a sum President Bola Tinubu directed to be paid immediately.
Fashedemi revealed that internal reviews during the transition uncovered cases of overbilling, including charges for electricity never supplied. Discussions are ongoing with AEDC to settle what he described as “legacy liabilities.”
He added that several ageing generators within the complex — once considered due for replacement — may now be retired entirely if the solar system performs as expected. Only a few units will be retained strictly for emergencies.
Senate Raises Eyebrows Over Vehicle Budget
While energy dominated the session, another issue drew scrutiny.
Chairman of the Senate Committee, Senator Kaka Lawan (Borno Central), questioned the ₦127 million allocation for sport utility vehicles in the State House budget proposal, describing it as unrealistically low.
“That amount cannot purchase even one bulletproof vehicle,” he argued, stressing that visiting foreign dignitaries should not be transported in “fairly used cars.”
He urged the Budget Office to review the figure upward.
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Despite the concerns, Lawan commended the State House for promptly appearing before the committee to defend its proposal, describing it as a model of accountability other agencies should emulate.
A Symbolic Shift
If completed as planned, Aso Rock’s exit from the national grid will mark one of the most high-profile renewable energy transitions in Nigeria’s history — a move supporters see as forward-thinking, and critics view as politically sensitive.
By March 2026, the nation’s most powerful address may be powered not by the grid, but by the sun.