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FG Begins N10b Aso Rock Solar Power Project: National Grid Challenges

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National Grid Challenges

FG Begins N10b Aso Rock Solar Power Project: National Grid Challenges

FG begins N10b Aso Rock solar power project: National Grid Challenges. The Federal Government has commenced the construction of a N10 billion solar mini-grid project to power the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.

The move shows both a shift towards renewable energy and a deepening lack of confidence in Nigeria’s ailing national electricity grid.

The Guardian reports that large sections of the Villa, including the entire parking lot of the Banquet Hall, the visitors’ parking lot, and the area around the lake have been converted into sites for mounting solar panels, in a clear departure from grid dependence.

Coming at a time when stakeholders are raising concerns on the implementation of the 2025 budget, the solar project, which is part of the 2025 national budget and listed under code ERGP202502463 remained on the front line of implementation.

The project is being implemented by Julius Berger in partnership with renewable energy firms, including Bartum Energy.

Bartum Energy, incorporated in 2016, has actively marketed solar solutions as alternatives to Nigeria’s unreliable public electricity supply.

While the Aso Rock solar power project may signal President Bola Tinubu’s endorsement of energy transition and sustainability goals, it also casts a spotlight on the state’s tacit admission of the grid’s failure.

Although Nigeria has about 14,000 megawatts installed electricity capacity, homes and businesses only get about 4,500MW.

Of this supply, businesses and homes, especially important services like healthcare, can’t rely on the grid. Most were relying on fossil fuel generators but now turning to solar as the cost of grid supply under Band A consumers and cost of diesel and premium motor spirit surged under the current government.

The cost of the presidential solar project represents more than 17 per cent of the Villa’s capital budget, which went from N47 billion in the initial 2025 proposal to N57 billion at the point of legislative approval.

That sizable allocation has raised fresh questions about fiscal priorities.

Some analysts had insisted that if the government must lead by example in energy reform, it could have first fixed the grid for everyone rather than powering Aso Rock off-grid while the rest of the country struggles.

National Grid Challenges

National Grid Challenges

According to data from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), industrial firms spent over N1 trillion on self-generation through diesel and gas-powered generators in recent years. Households too are increasingly turning to solar panels, inverters, and other off-grid options as blackouts persist.

Nigeria’s grid collapse incidents remain frequent, and overall generation capacity remains stuck below 5,000 MW for a population of over 200 million.

Although the country has one of the highest rates of self-generation globally, this shift, while innovative, has raised concerns about energy inequality, poor infrastructure planning, and the slow pace of grid modernisation.

Abuja

Obi, Amaechi, Others Meet In Abuja, Discuss Nigeria’s Democratic Future

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Peter Obi

Obi, Amaechi, Others Meet In Abuja, Discuss Nigeria’s Democratic Future

Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation, on Saturday hosted Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), and other opposition leaders at his Abuja residence.

Victor Umeh, senator representing Anambra central, Achike Udenwa, former governor of Anambra; and Victor Oganku were also at the meeting.

TheCable understands that discussions by the politicians centred on strengthening the opposition front and Nigeria’s democratic future.

Amaechi, Obi and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar are members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and are eyeing the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.

The former minister contested the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary and came second behind President Bola Tinubu, who won the party’s ticket.

In March, Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the ADC, said the party was working to adopt a consensus approach in selecting its presidential candidate for the 2027 poll.

Abdullahi said the party had the options of direct primaries and consensus for electing its presidential candidate, adding that indirect primaries were “no longer on the table”, as stipulated in the amended Electoral Act.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, Amaechi said he has positioned himself as a viable contender for the next presidential race on the ADC platform.

Amaechi rejected the call for a consensus arrangement within the ADC ahead of the 2027 poll, insisting that aspirants must be allowed to test their popularity at the ballot.

Peter Obi

Peter Obi

He said Nigerians are yearning for competent leadership to address economic hardship and insecurity.

The former governor of Rivers, however, said he would support Abubakar if the former vice-president emerges as the party’s standard-bearer for the 2027 presidential poll.

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Abuja

FG Warns Against Illegal Use Of Ambassador Title, Fake Diplomatic Identities

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Tinubu Swears In Aminu Yusuf

FG Warns Against Illegal Use Of Ambassador Title, Fake Diplomatic Identities

President Bola Tinubu-led federal government has warned against the rising abuse of diplomatic titles in Nigeria, particularly the illegal use of the designation “Ambassador” by unauthorised individuals and groups.

The warning was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, in Abuja.

“Some of the persons conferred illegally with the Ambassadorial titles unfortunately parade themselves as such in official communications and even in engagements with foreign embassies in Nigeria which has caused serious embarrassment to the federal government.

“The Ministry warns that individuals parading themselves as “Ambassadors” based on such deceitful conferment are engaging in impersonation, which is a criminal offence and therefore strongly cautions all persons involved in such illegalities or parading themselves as Ambassadors to desist forthwith,” the statement said.

The government also raised alarm over the use of fake diplomatic passports, identity cards, vehicle number plates, and other materials bearing the insignia of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by impostors.

Tinubu Swears In Aminu Yusuf

Tinubu

According to the statement, some of those involved in the practice go as far as parading themselves as ambassadors in official correspondence and in dealings with foreign missions in Nigeria, a development it said has embarrassed the country.

It, however, stressed that only the president and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces has the constitutional authority to appoint and accredit ambassadors for Nigeria, adding that no individual, group, or organisation has the power to confer diplomatic titles.

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Abuja

NPF Debunks False Terror Alert In FCT, Arrests Suspect For Incitement

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Plateau Police

NPF Debunks False Terror Alert In FCT, Arrests Suspect For Incitement

False terror alert in FCT,. The Nigeria Police Force wishes to categorically debunk a viral video circulating on social media alleging an ongoing terrorist attack in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The Force states unequivocally that no such incident occurred, and the claims contained in the video are entirely false, misleading, and malicious.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the video was deliberately curated using misleading footage sourced from online platforms to construct a false narrative aimed at causing panic, inciting public fear, and undermining public confidence in the security architecture of the nation’s capital.

In furtherance of its commitment to maintaining public order, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested one Pam Joseph in connection with the creation and dissemination of the false content. The arrest followed credible intelligence and digital forensic investigations linking the suspect to the origin and circulation of the video.

The Force reiterates that while citizens have the right to freedom of expression, such rights do not extend to the deliberate spread of misinformation capable of threatening public peace and national security. Members of the public are therefore advised to verify information before sharing and to refrain from engaging in activities that may incite fear or disorder.

Plateau Police

Police

The suspect is currently in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to safeguarding public order and national security, and will continue to monitor digital spaces and take decisive action against individuals who engage in the dissemination of false or misleading information.

DCP ANTHONY OKON PLACID psc(+) mni
Force Public Relations Officer
Force Headquarters, Abuja
10th April, 2026

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