The project is being executed by Julius Berger in partnership with Bartum Energy, a renewable energy company known for advancing solar solutions since 2016. The government’s move comes as a response to what the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mustapha Abdullahi, described as an unsustainable annual electricity bill of about ₦47 billion for the Villa. In 2024, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company even issued a disconnection notice to the Villa citing a power debt of nearly ₦1 billion, part of a broader ₦47 billion owed by several government ministries and agencies.
While the installation aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda to diversify energy sources, reduce governance costs, and foster innovation among Nigerian engineers, critics argue that it reflects a tacit admission of the national grid’s failure. Despite having an installed capacity of around 14,000MW, Nigeria’s grid reliably delivers only about 4,500MW to consumers, leading to frequent power outages. Many citizens and businesses have resorted to costly diesel generators or are turning to solar solutions amid soaring electricity tariffs.
This solar mini-grid represents over 17% of the Villa’s capital budget, which increased from ₦47 billion to ₦57 billion following legislative revision, raising questions about fiscal priorities. Analysts contend that rather than focusing expensive projects on the seat of power, the government should prioritize fixing the grid infrastructure benefitting the broader population, especially since Nigerian industries have spent over ₦1 trillion on self-generated power in recent years.
Globally, government residences such as the White House, Buckingham Palace, and the Elysée Palace have incorporated renewable energy as part of sustainability efforts, often while maintaining stable grids. However, Nigeria’s Aso Rock project simultaneously highlights both ambition and energy inequality, as millions face unreliable power supply.
While the initiative introduces cleaner, uninterrupted power to Nigeria’s highest office, it also reignites the debate about comprehensive energy reform and equitable infrastructure development necessary to address the country’s deep-rooted electricity challenges.
