The Federal Government is set to finally disconnect the presidential villa, Aso Rock, from the national electricity grid and operate on an independent solar power system.

This development is a part of the government’s effort to curb what it describes as an unsustainable annual energy bill of about 47 billion naira.

Earlier this year, State House Permanent Secretary, Temitope Fashedemi, told lawmakers that the solar installation was completed towards the end of 2025 and had been undergoing technical evaluation ahead of a full cutover.

“The solar installation at the Villa was completed toward the end of 2025 and has remained under technical evaluation. We are hopeful that by March we will be able to effect a full cutover,” Fashedemi said.

The project received 10 billion naira in the 2025 budget under a programme tagged “Solarisation of the Villa with Solar Mini Grid”. A further 7 billion naira was allocated in the 2026 budget, bringing total funding to about 17 billion naira.

Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, said the villa’s energy expenses had become difficult to sustain.

“It is unsustainable for the Aso Rock Villa to continue to pay about 47 billion naira yearly in power bills,” Abdullahi said, adding that the solar project was approved to reduce costs and diversify energy sources.