The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council spokesperson, Kemi Asekun-Shittu, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s plan to install a solar mini-grid at the Presidential Villa, saying it will help make more electricity available to Nigerians.
Asekun-Shittu explained that moving the Villa to solar power would reduce its dependence on the national grid, which is already struggling to meet the country’s growing electricity needs.
Speaking during an interview on Naija Info FM in Lagos on Friday, she said the President’s decision was aimed at reducing pressure on the national grid while also addressing the high cost of electricity at the Villa.
“And I honestly do know that Mr. President, in his wisdom, knows that if there was an easier way, he would have done it,” she said.
Her comments followed criticism of Tinubu’s decision to use solar power at the Presidential Villa after promising Nigerians improved electricity supply.
Responding, Asekun-Shittu argued that Nigeria’s growing population had placed additional pressure on the national grid.
“You see, Mr. President said, I will give you power and I will increase national grid. And now the national grid supplies, the national grid that used to supply a country of about 70 million people now has to supply a country going to about 250 million people,” she said.
She explained that the President considered the amount being spent on electricity at the Villa before deciding to move to solar energy.
“And Mr. President said, okay, you know what? We are paying so much for power here. Let me come out of here. Let’s do solar here,” Asekun-Shittu said.
She insisted that Nigeria’s abundant sunshine made solar power a reasonable choice, especially if it would allow more electricity from the national grid to reach the public.
“Since we have free sun in Nigeria, I think that he should be for that because that leaves more power because that leaves more power for the people.”
Meanwhile, INTELNEWS had earlier reported that the Federal Government approved ₦10 billion in the 2025 budget for a solar mini-grid project at the Presidential Villa.
The money was included after the State House Headquarters budget increased from the initially proposed ₦47.11 billion to ₦57.11 billion in the approved 2025 budget.
The increase also affected capital spending, which rose from ₦33.55 billion to ₦43.55 billion.
A breakdown of the approved capital projects showed that the additional ₦10 billion was set aside for a project named “Solarisation of the Villa with Solar Mini Grid.”
The project comes at a time when Nigerians continue to face unreliable electricity supply and rising power costs, affecting both households and government institutions.
However, Asekun-Shittu maintained that switching the Presidential Villa to solar power would help ease the burden on the national grid and leave more electricity for Nigerians.
