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₦10 Billion Solar Panels at Aso Rock: Tinubu’s Silent Vote of No Confidence in Nigeria’s Electricity Sector
₦10 Billion Solar Panels at Aso Rock: Tinubu’s Silent Vote of No Confidence in Nigeria’s Electricity Sector
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
In a country where over 90 million citizens live without reliable access to electricity, where epileptic power supply continues to stifle businesses, education, and healthcare, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sanctioned the installation of ₦10 billion worth of solar panels at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa. This ostentatious project comes in the same breath as recent assurances by his Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who boldly claimed that Nigeria’s national grid had “greatly improved” and that electricity supply was now “more stable than ever.”
But the irony here is impossible to ignore, painfully loud and bitterly revealing. The same administration that forced Nigerians into Band A tariffs under the pretense of improving service delivery has chosen to insulate itself from the very grid it coerces the populace to depend on. Tinubu’s decision to power the seat of government independently through solar energy is more than just symbolic, it is a deafening, silent vote of no confidence in Nigeria’s electricity sector. It is, quite frankly, a betrayal of public trust and a scandalous contradiction that undermines every reform narrative being pushed by this administration.
A Public Relations and Moral Disaster
This isn’t just a case of bad optics; it is a strategic blunder and a public relations nightmare. It is a spit in the face of millions of ordinary Nigerians who wake up at 2 a.m. to iron their clothes or charge their phones during the brief window when “NEPA” brings back light. It is a harsh insult to small business owners who spend half their earnings fueling generators. It is a cruel reminder to students forced to study under candlelight and hospital patients whose lives hang in the balance due to erratic electricity supply.
What message does it send when the Commander-in-Chief cannot trust the very system his government is supposedly reforming? Nigeria has reportedly spent over $25 billion on the power sector since the advent of democracy in 1999. Yet, we still generate an embarrassing 3,500 to 4,000 megawatts for a country of over 200 million people, a mere fraction of our real demand, which exceeds 30,000 megawatts.
According to a 2024 report by the World Bank, Nigeria loses an estimated $28 billion annually to power sector inefficiencies. In the same year, the national grid collapsed twice in one week, affecting all 36 states. These systemic failures make Tinubu’s solar insulation not just hypocritical but a confirmation that Nigeria’s energy sector is in shambles—and that even those in charge no longer believe in its redemption.
Who Is the Minister Fooling?
In March 2024, Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu stated:
“Electricity has improved greatly across the country, and the grid is more stable than ever.”
This statement aged like spoiled milk. Less than a month later, Nigeria’s fragile grid failed twice in one week, plunging the country into darkness and mocking every word of the minister’s fantasy.
If the grid is truly stable, why can’t the nation’s seat of power rely on it?
Renowned economist and former Presidential Economic Adviser, Dr. Doyin Salami, once stated:
“Any leader who cannot trust the system he oversees has already admitted failure without saying a word.”
By quietly opting for solar energy while publicly touting grid stability, President Tinubu has, in essence, conceded defeat on one of the most critical components of national infrastructure. Instead of leading by example and investing in holistic grid rehabilitation, he has chosen personal convenience over public confidence.
Band A: A Policy of Deceit
In April 2024, the Federal Government introduced Band A tariffs, a controversial policy that saw the cost of electricity skyrocket from ₦68 per kWh to ₦225 per kWh for select urban areas; mostly populated by the middle class. The government justified this hike by claiming it would ensure a minimum of 20–24 hours of daily supply to Band A users.
However, less than a month in, Band A areas reported frequent outages, sometimes worse than before. Nigerians quickly realized that the promise of improved power was a farce, another deceptive policy dressed in economic jargon. This tariff structure, instead of driving efficiency, has widened the inequality gap, where only the affluent can afford consistent electricity while the poor remain in darkness; taxed, yet unrewarded.
Aso Rock’s move to solar is the final nail in the coffin. It shows that even with Band A revenues pouring in, the government still has no faith in the reforms it is selling.
The Broader Economic Implications
Electricity is not a luxury; it is the foundation of any modern economy. Without it, industrialization is a myth, digital transformation is a joke, and economic growth remains a pipe dream. Nigeria’s perennial power problems have discouraged foreign investors, stifled domestic innovation, and eroded citizens’ trust in government capacity.
The hypocrisy of spending ₦10 billion on solar panels for the presidency while universities, hospitals, and factories continue to grope in darkness is not just a leadership flaw, it is an economic crime. That money could have funded mini-grids in underserved rural areas, equipped teaching hospitals with stable power, or supported local businesses through solar cooperatives.
As Dr. Charles Soludo, former CBN Governor, once said:
“Economic reforms must begin from the top, and credibility is the capital of leadership. If people at the top show double standards, the bottom will implode.”
Silence Is No Longer Golden
What is perhaps most appalling is the deafening silence from the Presidency regarding this project. There has been no official justification, no detailed explanation, and no roadmap for scaling solar beyond the Villa. This opacity feeds public anger and fuels conspiracy theories. Is the contract for the solar project another front for looting? Were due processes followed? Who are the contractors? Is there a cost-benefit analysis?
Transparency is not optional when public funds are involved. Citizens deserve answers.
A Call to Action
It is time for Nigerians to demand better. We must ask hard questions, challenge double standards, and hold leaders accountable, not just for their words but for their actions. The Tinubu administration cannot continue to speak reform while acting in contradiction.
If the President believes in solar, then let him lead a solar revolution across Nigeria, not just within the comfort of his official residence. Let every ministry, school, clinic, and rural community benefit from decentralized, renewable energy. Let this ₦10 billion solar project be a pilot, not a personal luxury.
Let this be the moment when Nigerians stop accepting excuses and start demanding delivery.
Final Word
In the end, leadership is not about comfort, it is about credibility. The installation of solar panels at Aso Rock is not just a quiet act of energy diversification; it is a silent vote of no confidence in Nigeria’s power sector. And if the President himself has abandoned the national grid, why should the people keep paying for it?
Until Nigeria has leaders who live within the system they administer, who experience the daily power failures, the darkness, the frustration, there will be no change. You cannot reform what you refuse to endure. And you cannot fix what you quietly flee from.
President Tinubu’s solar-powered fortress is not just an energy policy. It is a metaphor for the widening gap between government and the governed.
And that is the real national emergency.
OGUN INVESTS OVER ₦2.25 BILLION TO BOOST AQUACULTURE
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun disclosed that his administration has invested over N2.25Billion with the support from relevant partners to promote aquaculture, towards ensuring food security, job creation, and sustainable livelihood.
Governor Abiodun made this known during the official flag off of Fish Harvest at Ijako-Ota in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the State, adding that his administration was reducing undue dependence on imports and positioning the State as a leader in inland aquaculture.
Represented by his Deputy Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the states helmsman noted that the event was not just about harvesting fish, rather it was about celebrating real cultivation and people-focused progress in the state, appreciating the World Bank and the OGSTEP team for their continued support as well as commitment towards improving the livelihood of its citizenry.
“Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) was developed to strengthen our economy through strategic investments in agriculture. In aquaculture alone, we have supported over 3,400 fish farmers across the State. Each farmer received 72 bags of high-quality feed, with the government subsidising 30 percent of the cost. In total, more than 179,000 bags have been distributed, representing an investment of around ₦2.25 billion”, he noted
Abiodun stressed that agriculture was a serious economic enterprise, noting that his administration remains committed to scaling the cluster model across the State, continue to provide access to finance, inputs, infrastructure, markets, and technology, all in bid to make Ogun State the preferred destination for agribusiness in Nigeria.
He charged the Ministry of Agriculture to fast-track the development of the proposed Processing Zone in the area, as the process would further increase value and reduce post-harvest losses.
Speaking, Chief Economic Adviser and the Commissioner for Finance/Chairman Project Steering committee OGSTEP, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Planning/Chairman Project Technical Committee OGSTEP, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan, stated that the programme underscores the importance of agriculture, especially Aquaculture, saying it would not only help to boost food production but serve as a reservoir for fish farmers in Igidaduro Abule Ewipe fish farm as well as create more jobs for youths.
He also reiterated the State Government’s commitment in supporting agricultural initiatives and partner relevant stakeholders with a view to growing the State economy through food production as well as create more job opportunities for youths.
Earlier, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, said the programme had impacted over 3000 farmers in the State, with a cluster of over 700 fish farmers, noting that the country import about 55 percent of fishes while Ogun State produced 40,000 tonnes as against the demand of over 100, 000, revealing that the present administration led by Prince Dapo Abiodun had invested nothing less than 5.4billion to support different initiatives in agriculture.
Responding, the Project Coordinator OGSTEP, Mrs. Mosun Owo-Odusi noted that the flag-off of the fish harvest was not just a celebration of hard work but a testimony to what could be achieved when the right structures are in place describing the successes recorded as largely due to the unwavering support received from the Ogun State Government and other stakeholders
Representing the Olota of Ota, Oba Prof. Abdulkabir Obalanlege, the Onibudo of Ibudo, Oba Dr. Odutola Adewunmi, commended the State Government for his strides in agriculture and other sectors, saying it shows his commitment to good governance.
In his remarks, the Cluster Chairman, Mr. Ebenezer Jinadu, expressed appreciation to the State Government and the OGSTEP team for the laudable initiative, saying before the programme, most fish farmers have closed businesses but the intervention had helped to resuscitate their businesses, while seeking more government support in building processing centers.
The Chairman ACDC, Mr. Atiba Johnson as well as three other beneficiaries also took turns in appreciating the government for the initiatives while asking for further intervention on the access road.
Ogun Set to Host Most Ambitious National Sports Festival Yet – NSC Chairman*
_as NSC Affirms State’s Readiness Ahead of Gateway Games 2024_
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has officially confirmed that Ogun State is fully prepared to host the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, following a comprehensive inspection tour of competition venues, logistics hubs, and athlete accommodations across the state.
Led by NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, the Commission’s delegation visited key facilities including the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Alake Sports Centre, Remo Stars Sports Complex, and Babcock University, which will serve as the athletes’ village for the Festival.
The Gateway Games 2024, scheduled to run from May 16 to 30, will bring together thousands of athletes and officials from across Nigeria, competing in more than 32 disciplines, making it one of the largest and most inclusive editions in the Festival’s history.
Speaking after the tour, NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko expressed deep confidence in Ogun’s capacity to deliver a landmark event. According to him, “What I have seen here in Ogun is more than infrastructure. It is intent readiness, and ambition. Ogun is set to deliver a brilliant National Sports Festival that will raise the bar and define the standard for future games across Nigeria.”
Reaffirming the state’s commitment, Governor Dapo Abiodun assured the Commission and the Nigerian people of Ogun’s readiness to deliver a historic Games. “We consider it an honour and a responsibility to host this historic Festival. Every facility, every logistic, every detail has been prepared to showcase the best of Ogun and the promise of Nigeria. The Gateway Games will be a model of what’s possible when states align with national vision,” the Governor said.
As the lead agency for sports governance in Nigeria, the National Sports Commission continues to play a central role in coordinating nationwide sports development delivery, enforcing standards, and deepening synergy across all tiers of government. The success of the Gateway Games will serve as a blueprint for future sports development initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.
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