)
The Federal Government has allocated ₦10 billion in the 2025 approved budget for the installation of a solar mini-grid at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to official budget records, the project is titled “Solarisation of the Villa with Solar Mini Grid” and is captured under capital expenditure.
This new item is responsible for the rise in the State House budget, which increased from ₦47.11 billion in the proposed 2025 budget to ₦57.11 billion in the approved version. Specifically, capital expenditure moved from ₦33.55 billion to ₦43.55 billion.
READ ALSO: 'A thug and his disciples': Tinubu faces backlash after return from Europe
)
)
)
This development comes as Nigerians continue to battle with rising electricity costs, especially consumers in Band A who receive a minimum of twenty hours of power daily. In April 2024, the tariff for Band A jumped from ₦68 per kilowatt hour to ₦225.
It was later revised to ₦206.8 per kilowatt hour and eventually adjusted slightly to ₦209.5 per kilowatt hour in July.
In 2024 alone, the State House spent a total of ₦483.34 million on electricity bills. This marked a 40.17 percent increase from ₦344.82 million spent in 2023. A major portion of the 2024 spending came in October, when the Presidency made a lump sum payment of ₦316.88 million to settle outstanding bills as of August.
In February, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company listed the State House among the top government debtors, with an outstanding balance of ₦923.87 million. Following a reconciliation process, the amount was reviewed down to ₦342.35 million and was paid off on the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
Despite these figures, the Federal Government has budgeted ₦311.09 million for electricity at the State House in 2025. This is lower than actual spending from the previous year, signaling either a return to more consistent payments or expectations that the new solar grid will reduce overall energy costs.
EXPLORE: Again, NNPC reduces petrol pump price in Lagos and Abuja
The announcement has triggered discussions around affordability and fairness, as many Nigerians continue to face higher electricity tariffs and irregular power supply.
There are concerns that while the Presidency is taking measures to reduce its power expenses, ordinary citizens are left to grapple with the rising cost of energy without similar support or relief.
READ ALSO: What happens when the Pope dies?