The Federal Government has set aside ₦7 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Bill to fund the solarisation of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, continuing a controversial investment in renewable energy for Nigeria’s seat of power. The allocation, published by the Budget Office of the Federation, was listed under a budget line titled “provision of solarisation of Villa with solar mini-grid.”
This fresh investment follows the ₦10 billion previously allocated in the 2025 budget for the same project, which drew intense public debate over the timing and prioritisation of funds amid Nigeria’s persistent national power shortages and economic hardship.
According to the budget documents, the additional funding for the solar mini-grid is part of the ongoing efforts to reduce the Presidential Villa’s dependence on the unreliable national grid. The project is described as a continuation of the government’s strategy to ensure sustainable and uninterrupted electricity for the residence of the President and top government officials.
The move signifies a continued emphasis on renewable energy solutions for key government infrastructure, even as millions of Nigerians continue to experience frequent blackouts and struggle with high energy costs. Critics of the project argue that such high expenditure on power security for the elite contrasts sharply with the broader population’s daily realities.
Public reaction to the renewed budgetary allocation has been mixed, with many Nigerians expressing frustration and questioning the government’s priorities amid ongoing energy crises. Critics have questioned why billions are allocated to fortify power supply for the presidency when ordinary citizens, businesses and critical public services continue to suffer from chronic grid failures and expensive alternative power solutions.
In response to earlier criticism over the initial ₦10 billion solar project, the Presidency defended the initiative as a long-term investment in sustainability and energy efficiency. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga explained that the strategy mirrors global best practices.
“The White House in Washington D.C. uses solar power. We are not reinventing the wheel. We are following a tested and globally accepted model for powering important national institutions sustainably,” Onanuga said, framing the project within international norms.
Despite the defence, many have argued that the continued allocation highlights a lack of confidence in the national grid, one that the government is constitutionally obliged to strengthen for all Nigerians.
Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure has faced repeated collapses and instability, with generation levels fluctuating dramatically and outages affecting major cities. For example, data from energy monitors showed severe disruptions where generation plunged sharply, leaving much of the country in darkness on several occasions in 2025, underscoring persistent grid fragility.
As the National Assembly considers the 2026 budget, branded the “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity”, the ₦7 billion solarisation line item is likely to fuel ongoing debate about fiscal priorities, energy policy and equity in public spending.
Critics contend that the allocation should instead bolster broader grid reforms, infrastructure upgrades and energy access initiatives that would benefit a greater number of Nigerians, while proponents argue that government facilities must also maintain functional, sustainable power supplies.
