The Nigerian government’s decision to approve a ₦10 billion solar installation at Aso Rock has stirred a firestorm of public anger and confusion. As Nigerians grapple with skyrocketing food prices, fuel costs, and unemployment, news of a billion-naira solar project at the seat of government felt like a slap in the face. But the government insists there’s a method to the madness. Officials revealed that Aso Rock racks up an eye-watering ₦47 billion in electricity bills every year — an amount they say is simply unsustainable.
According to the explanation, switching to solar energy is a strategic move to cut costs in the long term and also set an example for renewable energy adoption across Nigeria. They framed it as an investment that would eventually save money and reduce dependence on the erratic national grid. Still, many Nigerians found the argument hollow. They questioned how a government that often claims it can’t afford salary increases or social welfare suddenly found ₦10 billion to splash on itself.
For citizens living with daily blackouts, buying petrol at inflated prices, and struggling to power their homes with small generators, the project seems like a brutal reminder of how disconnected the leadership is from the people’s reality. While officials promise that the savings will materialize over time, trust remains low. Many believe that once again, those at the top are solving their own problems first — leaving ordinary Nigerians in the dark, literally and figuratively.
Leave a Reply