Catherine Ime, a business owner in Abuja, installed rooftop solar panels by January 1 after enduring four power outages in one day the previous December. She had spent years relying on a diesel generator, but rising fuel costs and frequent blackouts made it unsustainable, especially with family members working remotely and the need to pump water from a borehole. "Catering for a large household without a steady electricity supply resulted in massive food waste," Ime told BusinessDay.
Her experience reflects a broader shift across Nigeria, where households and businesses are increasingly adopting solar energy due to persistent grid failures. Despite having over 220 million people and vast oil reserves, Nigeria's national grid supplied only about 3,940 megawatts by March 2026—equivalent to a single mid-sized European power station. For decades, Nigerians have relied on petrol and diesel generators, a system so entrenched it is commonly referred to as "gen." The country spends an estimated $14 billion annually on generator fuel, with Lagos alone emitting pollution equivalent to 8.5 million cars each year.
The economics of self-generation shifted after the 2023 removal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation of the naira, making solar power more cost-effective than running generators alongside unreliable grid service. Ime said solar has reduced her household expenses significantly. "We can charge our phones whenever we need to and no longer worry about prolonged blackouts," she said. Ise Tony in Dutse, Abuja, made the switch over a year ago, citing persistent unreliability. Andrew Chinemere, also in Abuja, invested heavily in solar despite being classified as a Band A customer, after promised 20-hour daily supply from distributors failed to materialise.
Abba Abubakar Aliyu, managing director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), said the president approved a $750 million publicly funded renewable energy programme, the largest of its kind globally. It aims to catalyse $1.1 billion in private investment and provide electricity to 17.5 million Nigerians.
The same government that failed to deliver 20 hours of power to Band A customers now promotes solar as a solution it did not provide. Nigerians like Andrew Chinemere are forced to spend their own money on alternatives after being promised better service. The $750 million public solar programme arrives only after millions have already paid out of pocket to escape the grid. Those who could not afford private systems remain stranded without power.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
