The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu’s government over its proposed N10 billion solar energy project for the Presidential Villa, branding it a public acknowledgement of the country’s floundering power sector.
Despite widespread backlash concerning the cost and timing of the project, the Presidency defended the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) approval of the initiative.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, claimed the move to solar power at the Villa underscores the inefficiency of the Power Minister and the failure of both the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) to deliver affordable and reliable power.
HURIWA argued that the federal government’s justification for shifting to solar energy inadvertently revealed its awareness that the current electricity tariff regime is both unsustainable and exploitative.
The organization also condemned the Presidency’s attempt to legitimize the move by comparing it to the use of solar panels at the White House, saying it reflects misplaced priorities in a nation where many citizens still live without stable electricity.
Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) showing solar installations at the White House, asserting that Nigeria was aligning itself with global renewable energy standards.
“The White House in Washington, D.C. uses solar power,” Onanuga noted, portraying the initiative as part of a global trend toward sustainability.
Nonetheless, HURIWA contended that spending such a vast sum on a single location, especially when millions of Nigerians lack access to dependable power, was insensitive and ill-timed.
The group said the project confirmed that the national grid is unreliable and accused the government of misleading the public with claims that over 150 million Nigerians now enjoy constant electricity.
Additionally, HURIWA denounced the recent Band-based electricity pricing model, likening it to financial scams similar to those perpetrated by infamous cybercriminal Ramon ‘Hushpuppi’ Abbas.
According to available information, the solar power system is expected to provide uninterrupted electricity to the President’s residence, office buildings, and key facilities within the State House, with the aim of boosting energy efficiency and cutting long-term costs.
While some Nigerians have welcomed the environmental merits of the project, many remain concerned about its financial burden, particularly at a time when the majority of the population is struggling with rising economic hardship.
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