The All Progressives Congress (APC) has defended the installation of a solar mini-grid at the Presidential Villa, asserting that the initiative will enhance electricity availability for Nigerians. Kemi Asekun-Shittu, the spokesperson for the APC Presidential Campaign Council, articulated this position during an interview on Naija Info FM in Lagos.

Asekun-Shittu explained that President Bola Tinubu's decision to transition the Villa to solar power is a strategic move to reduce its reliance on the national grid. This shift is expected to free up more electricity for public consumption, addressing the ongoing challenges of unreliable power supply in the country.

During the interview, she acknowledged the criticisms surrounding the President's commitment to improving electricity supply while simultaneously adopting solar energy. She pointed out that the national grid is under significant strain due to Nigeria's rapidly growing population, which has surged from approximately 70 million to nearly 250 million in recent years.

"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," Asekun-Shittu stated.

The spokesperson emphasized that the solar initiative is a proactive approach to alleviate the pressure on the national grid. She remarked, "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."

The Federal Government has allocated ₦10 billion in the 2025 budget specifically for the solar mini-grid project at the Villa. This allocation is part of a broader increase in the State House's budget, which rose from ₦47.11 billion to ₦57.11 billion. The capital expenditure for the State House also saw an increase, moving from ₦33.55 billion to ₦43.55 billion. The solar project is categorized under the title "Solarisation of the Villa with Solar Mini Grid."

This move towards solar energy comes at a time when many Nigerians are grappling with the high costs of electricity and the inconsistency of public power supply. Asekun-Shittu reiterated that the solar project should be viewed as a significant step towards easing the burden on the national grid and ensuring that more electricity is accessible to the populace.

As the government pushes forward with this initiative, it remains to be seen how effectively the solar mini-grid will contribute to resolving the long-standing electricity challenges faced by Nigerians.