The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, has defended the Federal Government’s decision to approve a ₦10 billion solar energy project for the State House, stating that the move reflects international standards in promoting sustainable energy use within government institutions.
Mr Onanuga addressed the issue on his verified X account, responding to growing concerns over the timing and financial scale of the initiative, particularly in light of the country’s ongoing economic difficulties.
In a bid to provide perspective, he referenced the U.S. government’s approach to clean energy, noting that the White House in Washington, D.C., has integrated solar energy into its power system. “The White House in Washington, D.C. uses solar power,” he said.
The comments followed recent confirmation that the Federal Executive Council has approved plans to transition the Presidential Villa entirely off the national electricity grid. The strategy involves deploying a fully solar-powered energy solution due to what officials have described as unsustainable energy charges from the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).
Once implemented, the solar infrastructure will cater to the President’s residence, associated administrative offices, and other critical facilities within the Villa’s premises.