The Resource Center for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has implored the Federal Government to declare a national solarization policy that enables every household and small business to install solar systems.
Dr. Zikirullahi M. Ibrahim,Executive Director,CHRICED, in a statement on Saturday,said the policy should include removing tariffs on imported solar panels, inverters, and other essential components.
According to him, it should also involve providing interest-free credit facilities to ease procurement and installation of solar solutions.
He added:”By implementing these steps, demand on the national grid will drop significantly, allowing the limited supply of 4,000–5,000 MW to be allocated more efficiently to large-scale industries and high-end consumers who need it most.”
He advised the government to redirect the ₦10 billion solar power project for Aso Villa toward delivering a mix of renewable energy solutions for rural households and small businesses, where the need is more urgent and the impact more meaningful.
He sought immediately sack of the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu for his continued failure to prevent grid collapses, despite massive government investments.
He alson implored the government to reverse the electricity tariff hikes to allow struggling businesses to survive and reduce the burden on ordinary Nigerians.
He expressed deep concern over the failure of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to demonstrate any meaningful progress in addressing Nigeria’s chronic energy inefficiency.
Despite numerous campaign promises during the 2023 elections, particularly from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Tinubu, on expanding rural electrification and promoting independent off-grid renewable energy solutions, these pledges remain largely unfulfilled, he said.
He lamented that Instead, millions of Nigerians are left in the dark, forced to provide costly alternative energy for themselves.
He added:”In stark contrast to the suffering of ordinary citizens, the President has approved a self-serving plan to spend ₦10 billion of taxpayers’ money on a 40 MW solar power plant exclusively for the Aso Villa. This move highlights the administration’s own lack of faith in the reforms it claims to be implementing within the power sector.
“Even more troubling is the additional allocation of ₦311.09 million for State House electricity bills and ₦1.99 billion for diesel to power generators at the Villa in 2025, despite the supposed solar project.
“CHRICED considers this pattern of spending both frivolous and wasteful, especially at a time of widespread economic hardship.
“CHRICED is also alarmed by the continued and frequent collapse of the National Electricity Grid. Neither President Tinubu nor the Minister of Power has taken decisive steps to address this crisis. Billions have already been invested in expanding power grids and extending gas pipelines to support energy production, yet Nigeria remains stuck producing barely 4,000 MW of electricity, far below the 6,000 MW target initially set by the administration.
“CHRICED sees the persistent grid failures as a form of economic sabotage that must not go unpunished.
“Compounding the situation is the recent hike in electricity tariffs, which has forced many businesses to cut services, lay off workers, or shut down completely. The migration to Band A tariffs, an unsustainable model, has made operations unbearable for businesses. Ironically, those who manage to pay for band A are still subjected to blackouts every time the grid collapses.
“President Tinubu’s own admission, as reported in the media, confirms the dire state of affairs: the government is incurring massive electricity bills for unreliable power and continues to rely on diesel generators, a situation he described as “unsustainable.” The fact that electricity generating companies are owed ₦4 trillion by government MDAs further underscores the system’s dysfunction.
“This scenario mirrors the everyday struggles of millions of Nigerian households, industries, and small businesses. CHRICED therefore urges the Tinubu administration to become more sensitive and responsive to the needs of Nigerians in formulating electricity policies.”
