The N10bn solar project and Nigeria’s energy dilemma

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of N10 billion for the installation of a solar power system at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa has sparked mixed reactions across the nation, evoking both cautious optimism and growing concern.

While the initiative, which replaces diesel-powered generators with cleaner energy, is promoted by the government as an environmentally sustainable and cost-effective solution, it raises significant ethical, economic, and policy-related questions.

At first glance, the move to transition the Villa to solar power may appear as a commendable and timely step, especially given the global shift towards renewable energy. In an era of escalating climate change, such a project at Nigeria’s highest seat of power sends an important message about the country’s potential commitment to green energy.

The State House has been identified as one of the major debtors of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), owing N923.87 million as of February 2024. Early this year, over N483 million was reportedly spent on electricity, according to GovSpend, a public finance tracking platform. In this light, the N10 billion investment could be seen as a long-term cost-saving measure.

Yet, the optics of this project are highly problematic. At a time when the national power grid remains unreliable and unstable, many Nigerians view the solar project not as a beacon of progress but as a glaring symbol of elite detachment. The very government that has repeatedly pledged to reform the power sector seems to have bypassed it altogether, choosing instead to invest in an exclusive energy solution for the Presidency.

If the seat of government has lost confidence in the national grid, what hope is there for the average Nigerian household, trader, or small business reliant on the grid for daily power? This question becomes more pressing when considering the precedent this move may set. Will other state governments follow suit, drawing from their already stretched budgets to power their own executive mansions, while citizens continue to endure unreliable public utilities?

Without a comprehensive, inclusive national energy policy, the Aso Rock solar initiative risks deepening the socio-economic divide in energy access. The irony of this development is not lost on many. As Lagos State Governor, Tinubu lobbied for the late Chief Bola Ige to serve as Minister of Power, signalling his understanding of the importance of electricity for national development. He has also made bold promises to transform the power sector, pledging that Nigerians should not re-elect him if he fails to deliver reliable and affordable electricity. Now, these assurances seem at odds with the decision to invest in a project that largely benefits only those at the highest levels of government.

This is not the first time Nigeria has witnessed significant investments in the power sector that failed to yield results. The ongoing controversy surrounding the $16 billion spent during the Obasanjo era on the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) and the N1.5 trillion reported to have been spent by the Central Bank of Nigeria under Godwin Emefiele casts a long shadow of mistrust. Despite these investments, Nigerians continue to face blackouts, and electricity tariffs are rising without corresponding improvements in service delivery.

While it would be unfair to oppose the use of solar energy—given its immense potential, especially in a country blessed with abundant sunlight—this progress must be inclusive, transparent, and grounded in a solid policy framework. Solar power should not become another symbol of inequality, where only the elite benefit while the rest of the country remains reliant on costly and unreliable alternatives like candles and generators.

The federal government must clarify its long-term intentions for this project. Is the Aso Rock solar initiative part of a broader strategy to decarbonise Nigeria’s public institutions? If so, what is the framework for scaling solar energy across federal ministries, schools, hospitals, and most crucially, low-income communities? What incentives or financing options will be available to ordinary Nigerians to adopt solar technology? What reforms are being made within the power distribution companies, which remain a major obstacle to a functioning energy system?

If the N10 billion project is to be remembered as a turning point rather than a misguided indulgence, it must mark the beginning of a nationwide clean energy transformation. Solar power must be made accessible to all, not just the privileged few.

The sun shines on every corner of Nigeria, not just Aso Rock. Therefore, the benefits of clean, reliable energy should reach every Nigerian, irrespective of their socio-economic status.

The government has an opportunity here to lead by example—not just in comfort but in solidarity with the people. This project should serve as the catalyst for a broader, people-centred energy reform agenda that prioritises access, affordability, and sustainability for all.

Anything less will only deepen the disillusionment many Nigerians feel towards their leaders and perpetuate the divide between the governing elite and the people they serve.

Energy is not just a utility; it is a right, a lifeline, and a fundamental measure of justice. This solar project should be the start of a path that lights up the entire nation—not just the corridors of power.