The President Bola Tinubu led federal govvernment has defended the approval of a N10 billion solar power project for the Presidential Villa, saying similar energy practices are being enjoyed at the White House in Washington, D.C.
It was earlier reported that in a move to reduce cost electricity powering the Aso Rock, the FG busgeted 10 billion naira in the 2025 appropriation bill for solar system installation.
The development faced public criticism over the cost and timing of the initiative, given Nigeria’s current economic challenges and growing concerns about government spending.
Some Nigerians also lambasted the Tinubu government for reneging on its promise to provide stable power supply to the citizens adding that its adoption of solar power suggested it could no longer fulfil its promise.
However, on Tuesday evening, The Presidency rose in strong defence of the Federal Executive Council’s approval of a N10 billion solar energy project for the State House.
Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, made the clarification on his verified X handle, following media reports questioning the necessity of the project, especially in view of Nigeria’s current economic realities.
Onanuga stressed that transitioning the State House to solar power aligns with global best practices, noting that the White House in Washington, D.C., also uses solar energy as part of its power supply.
“The White House in Washington D.C. uses solar power,” Onanuga wrote, implying that the adoption of renewable energy for high-level government facilities is not unprecedented and reflects a commitment to sustainability.
He accompanied the post with a video highlighting the US Presidential solar transition, emphasising that Nigeria’s leadership must set an example in embracing clean energy solutions.
