By Deborah Nnamdi
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticized reported plans to power the Aso Rock Presidential Villa with solar energy, warning that such a move signals possible neglect of Nigeria’s struggling national electricity grid.
Obi made his position known in a statement posted on his X account while reacting to reports that the Presidential Villa may disconnect from the national grid and rely fully on solar power.
The remarks come amid persistent power supply challenges across the country and renewed debate over the Federal Government’s commitment to fixing Nigeria’s electricity system.
In the statement, Obi referenced a campaign promise attributed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who had pledged that Nigerians should not re-elect him if he failed to provide stable electricity within four years in office.
According to Obi, more than two years into the current administration, the national grid continues to perform poorly, with many Nigerians still grappling with unreliable power supply.
“Those were the powerful words then that inspired hope among Nigerians who longed for light in their homes, stability for their businesses, and growth for their nation. Yet, while Nigerians are still grappling with that unfulfilled, categorical electoral promise – and without clear communication on the obstacles,” he stated.
He argued that disconnecting the seat of power from the national grid raises concerns about the government’s dedication to improving electricity supply nationwide.
“It is a gross neglect and deeply worrisome when the seat of power abandons the national grid. One would expect government institutions to lead efforts to strengthen and expand the grid so that other establishments, and ultimately, citizens can benefit,” Obi said.
Reports about plans to transition the Presidential Villa to solar energy gained traction following provisions in the 2025 budget allocating about ₦10 billion for solar power infrastructure, alongside further allocations in the 2026 budget for upgrades and maintenance.
The development comes as Nigeria continues to face grid instability, frequent system collapses, and limited generation capacity. Electricity supply remains a major constraint for households and businesses, many of which depend on costly diesel and petrol generators to supplement unreliable grid power.
While acknowledging that renewable energy adoption is commendable and necessary for the future, Obi maintained that the reported move reflects a broader governance concern.
“You cannot tell the people to fast while feasting yourself, securing yourself while Nigerians remain unsecured,” he said, adding that leadership must not isolate itself from the daily struggles of citizens.
The former Anambra State governor noted that while Nigerians may not expect complete fulfillment of campaign promises, they do expect visible efforts, measurable improvements, and transparent communication where challenges persist.
Nigeria’s power sector has faced repeated instability in recent years, with multiple grid collapses underscoring the fragility of the national electricity system. In 2024 alone, the grid reportedly collapsed nine times, making it one of the most unstable years for power supply.
As of early 2026, the grid has already recorded at least one nationwide collapse, with outages often attributed to gas supply shortages, transmission bottlenecks, and technical faults.
Data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s January 2026 factsheet shows that grid-connected power plants continue to operate below installed capacity. Nigeria’s total installed generation capacity stands at 13,625 megawatts, but only an average of 4,901 megawatts was available for dispatch during the month, representing a Plant Availability Factor of 36 per cent.
The report also recorded an Average Load Factor of 90 per cent, indicating that about 4,421 megawatts per hour of available power was dispatched and consumed, reflecting strong demand and limited reserve margins within the system.
