The Federal Government has approved a N10 billion budget for installing a solar mini-grid at the Presidential Villa, aiming to reduce dependence on the national grid and alleviate rising electricity costs. This project, titled “Solarisation of the Villa with Solar Mini Grid,” accounts for the entire increase in the State House's capital expenditure, which rose from N33.55 billion to N43.55 billion.
The State House budget has significantly increased, jumping from N47.11 billion in the proposed budget to N57.11 billion in the approved version. This move comes amid growing concerns over unreliable public power supply and soaring electricity costs, particularly for Band A consumers who receive at least 20 hours of electricity daily. Their tariffs skyrocketed from N68/kWh to over N209/kWh in 2024, resulting in substantial increases in electricity bills.
In 2024, the State House spent N483.34 million on electricity bills, a 40.17% increase from N344.82 million in 2023. The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company even listed the Presidential Villa among top government debtors with an outstanding bill of N923.87 million, later revised to N342.35 million. President Bola Tinubu ordered the settlement of the debt to prevent disconnection.
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