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₦10 Billion Solar Panels at Aso Rock: Tinubu’s Silent Vote of No Confidence in Nigeria’s Electricity Sector

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₦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.

₦10 Billion Solar Panels at Aso Rock: Tinubu’s Silent Vote of No Confidence in Nigeria’s Electricity Sector
By George Omagbemi Sylvester

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Discipleship: “Walk with the Wise and You Will Become Wise” — Dr Chris Okafor

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Discipleship: “Walk with the Wise and You Will Become Wise”
— Dr Chris Okafor

…Evil communication corrupts good character
…The Holy Spirit is the seal of redemption

 

 

True Christian living, beyond winning souls, requires nurturing and sustaining new converts in the faith. This was the central message delivered by the Generational Prophet and Senior Pastor of Grace Nation Global, Dr Chris Okafor, during a teaching on “Understanding the Act of Discipleship.”
According to him, soul winning without proper establishment and follow-up defeats its purpose. “The goal is not just conversion but fruitfulness and continuity in Christ,” he emphasized, noting that believers must also understand the conditions that make prayers effective.

The Necessity of Discipleship

Dr Okafor outlined why discipleship is essential in the Christian journey:
New converts require guidance to withstand temptations that could pull them back into their former ways.
They must gradually disconnect from relationships and habits that previously weakened their faith.
Support systems should be in place to help them navigate personal and spiritual challenges.
Consistent follow-up, rooted in love and care, helps prevent discouragement and negative perceptions.
Proper integration into the body of Christ strengthens their sense of belonging and commitment.

Understanding Discipleship

He described discipleship as a deliberate process of helping believers grow in Christ and align with godly principles rather than worldly influences. It involves:
Guiding converts until Christ is fully formed in them.
Transmitting biblical values that strengthen their faith and daily conduct.

Practical Approach to Discipleship

The cleric highlighted key methods for effective discipleship:
Fervent prayer for the spiritual stability of new believers.
Demonstrating genuine love and consistent care.
Regular follow-up visits and visible engagement.
Encouraging early infilling of the Holy Spirit.
Teaching habits that sustain spiritual growth.

Habits That Strengthen Faith

To remain grounded, believers were encouraged to cultivate:
Daily study of the Word of God
Consistent prayer and fellowship with God
Active participation in church gatherings
Bold expression of their faith
A conscious rejection of unrighteousness
Deep-rooted commitment to the house of God

A Foundation for Growth

In conclusion, Dr Chris Okafor stressed that discipleship thrives when believers are rooted in sound spiritual guidance. “When you walk with the wise, you become wise,” he said, adding that strong spiritual formation protects individuals from negative influences and preserves godly character.

The Grace Nation Global Sunday Communion Service, observed by members worldwide, featured testimonies, healing sessions, deliverance, and a special child dedication, rounding off the service on a note of faith and celebration.

 

Discipleship: “Walk with the Wise and You Will Become Wise”
— Dr Chris Okafor

By Sunday Adeyemi
[email protected]

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APC’s Misrepresentation of Makinde’s Remarks: A Disturbing Display of Intellectual Dishonesty* -Olufemi Aduwo 

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*APC’s Misrepresentation of Makinde’s Remarks: A Disturbing Display of Intellectual Dishonesty* -Olufemi Aduwo 

 

The attention of right-thinking Nigerians has been drawn to the misguided and politically contrived statement issued by the All Progressives Congress (APC), in which it accused Governor Seyi Makinde of incitement over his reference to “Operation Wetie”. Let it be stated without equivocation, the APC’s reaction is not only a gross distortion of context but also a troubling exhibition of either wilful ignorance or a fundamental inability to comprehend even the most elementary use of historical analogy. One is left to wonder whether those who crafted that statement possess even a kindergarten grasp of the English language, let alone the intellectual depth required for serious political discourse.

 

 

Governor Makinde’s remarks were clearly cautionary and not incendiary. His reference to “Operation Wetie” was an invocation of history, nothing more and nothing less. It was a sober reminder of the catastrophic consequences that follow when democratic processes are subverted, dissent is stifled and political arrogance is allowed to fester unchecked.To interpret such a warning as a call to violence is either intellectually dishonest or deliberately mischievous.

 

 

By attempting to criminalise a legitimate historical reference, the APC exposes a deeper anxiety, an unease with truth and a discomfort with reminders of what unchecked political excess can produce. The tragedy of the Western Region crisis is not a subject to be buried under partisan convenience, it is a lesson to be studied, understood and heeded.

 

It is both ironic and alarming that a party which claims to defend democracy would seek to undermine historical consciousness. Such conduct betrays a troubling tendency towards authoritarian thinking, where even words of caution are twisted into offences and dissenting voices are vilified rather than engaged.

 

 

The statement by Felix Morka, in particular, collapses under the weight of its own exaggeration. To leap from a historical reference to claims of “anarchy” and “murderous rage” is not only illogical but borders on the absurd. It is political theatre of the lowest quality. Furthermore, the attempt to cloak this mischaracterisation in the language of “national security” is both reckless and disingenuous. National security is far too important to be reduced to a tool for partisan intimidation.

 

 

The APC would do well to engage in introspection rather than projection. This pattern of deliberate misrepresentation and inflammatory overreach poses a greater risk to Nigeria’s democratic stability.

 

Nigeria deserves a political culture rooted in honesty, maturity and intellectual rigour not one diminished by propaganda, distortion and opportunism. In the final analysis, the issue is simple, those who cannot understand history are often the first to misinterpret it and unfortunately, the most likely to repeat its errors.

 

 

-Olufemi Aduwo is a

Permanent Representative of CCDI to the ECOSOC/United Nations.

NB: Centre for Convention on Democratic Integrity, is a non-profit organisation with Consultative Status of United Nations

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Prophet Oladele Ogundipe Genesis Hosts Jehoshaphat Night 2026 : A Powerful Night of Praise, Power, And Prophetic Encounter in Lagos

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Prophet Oladele Ogundipe Genesis Hosts Jehoshaphat Night 2026 : A Powerful Night of Praise, Power, And Prophetic Encounter in Lagos

 

 

 

Genesis Global Isheri is set to host an extraordinary spiritual gathering tagged PPP, Praise, Power & Prophetic Night, themed Jehoshaphat Night, on May 1st, 2026, from 8PM till dawn. This highly anticipated event will take place at Genesis Bus Stop, LASU–Igando Road, Isheri Idimu, Lagos, bringing together worshippers, believers, and seekers from across the city for a night of intense spiritual upliftment. With a vibrant atmosphere already expected, the event promises a unique blend of deep worship, prophetic ministrations, and life-transforming encounters.

 

The night will be led by Prophet Israel Oladele Ogundipe, the host and founder of Genesis Global, known for his dynamic prophetic ministry and impactful teachings. Attendees can also look forward to powerful ministrations from guest ministers Minister Dare Oxygen and Mista Olamilekan, who are set to usher in an atmosphere of heartfelt praise and spiritual revival. The theme “Jehoshaphat Night” draws inspiration from the biblical account of King Jehoshaphat, where praise became a weapon for victory setting the tone for a night centered on breakthrough, faith, and divine intervention.

 

Beyond just a gathering, Jehoshaphat Night is positioned as a transformative experience where attendees can expect spiritual renewal, prophetic direction, and a deeper connection with God through music and the Word. With a carefully curated lineup and a strong spiritual focus, this all night event aims to ignite faith and inspire testimonies. Whether you’re seeking clarity, breakthrough, or simply a powerful worship experience, this is a night not to be missed in Lagos. Make it an event.

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