The Aso Rock Presidential Villa is set to completely disconnect from Nigeria’s national electricity grid by March 2026, as a ₦17 billion solar mini-grid project approaches full operational readiness, the Federal Government has confirmed.
State House Permanent Secretary, Temitope Fashedemi, said the solar installation completed in late 2025 ,has successfully undergone technical testing and is expected to power the Villa independently within the first quarter of 2026.
“We are confident that by March 2026, the Presidential Villa will run entirely on the solar mini-grid,”
“The system has been tested, and all indications show it is capable of meeting the energy demands of the Villa.” Gashed emu said.
The project received ₦10 billion in the 2025 budget, with an additional ₦7 billion approved in the 2026 appropriation to ensure its completion. Officials say the initiative will significantly cut electricity costs, reduce reliance on diesel generators, and ease pressure on the national grid, which has struggled with frequent outages.
Fashedemi pointed to the State House Medical Centre’s earlier transition to solar power as proof of the system’s effectiveness.
“The Medical Centre has operated seamlessly on solar energy with battery storage and minimal grid support, it has recorded uninterrupted service delivery since the switch.”he noted
Beyond cost savings, the move is also intended to address longstanding concerns over unusually high electricity bills and alleged overbilling by distribution companies. Once the solar mini-grid becomes fully operational, most of the Villa’s aging generators will be decommissioned, with only a few retained for emergency backup.
Government officials say the project aligns with broader efforts to diversify Nigeria’s energy mix, promote renewable energy adoption, and lower operational costs across key public institutions.
“This is not just about powering Aso Rock, it is about setting an example for sustainable energy use in government facilities nationwide.”Fashedemi added.