Nigeria TV Info 

Aso Rock to Quit National Grid Over N47bn Annual Power Bill – Presidency

The Presidency has confirmed that the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja will completely disconnect from Nigeria's national electricity grid and transition to an independent solar power system following the burden of an estimated ₦47 billion annual electricity bill. The move is part of the Federal Government's strategy to reduce energy costs, improve power reliability, and lessen dependence on diesel generators.

State House Permanent Secretary, Temitope Fashedemi, disclosed that the solar installation at the Presidential Villa was completed in late 2025 and has undergone extensive testing. According to him, the Villa is expected to operate fully on solar power, with backup generators retained only for emergencies.

The project received ₦10 billion funding in the 2025 budget and an additional ₦7 billion allocation in the 2026 budget, bringing total investment in the solar mini-grid initiative to about ₦17 billion. The government says the transition will significantly reduce operational costs and provide uninterrupted electricity to the nation's seat of power.

However, the decision has sparked nationwide debate, with critics arguing that the move signals a lack of confidence in Nigeria's struggling electricity grid. Energy experts and opposition figures have questioned why the Presidency is opting for energy independence while millions of Nigerians continue to grapple with erratic power supply and rising electricity tariffs.

Supporters of the initiative, on the other hand, believe the switch to renewable energy demonstrates the practical benefits of solar power and could encourage other government institutions to adopt cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions.