Adebayo's 2027 Bid: 11-Month Solar Rollout for Every Nigerian Home

The presidential hopeful for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has unveiled an ambitious electoral promise to install solar power systems, ranging from 11 to 15 kilowatts, on every Nigerian rooftop within eleven months of assuming office, should he emerge victorious in the 2027 elections. Adebayo disclosed this significant commitment on Tuesday during an appearance on Arise Television's 'Prime Time' interview segment.

He further outlined plans for his potential administration to establish numerous solar-panel manufacturing facilities across the country. Alongside this, comprehensive training programmes would be initiated to equip Nigerians with the necessary skills for the installation and routine maintenance of these solar energy systems. Adebayo emphatically stated, "I promise that between 11 to 15 kilowatts of solar power will be put on every roof within 11 months."

Drawing on his past experiences, Adebayo mentioned his previous advisory roles to the government concerning power sector challenges. He also highlighted a personal experimental project in his hometown, where he claims to have trained approximately 2,000 individuals in solar technology. "I did an experiment in my hometown. I have about 2,000 people I trained on solar, because I manufacture the solar panels myself. I do lithium battery. The only thing I haven’t got the technological power to do is the inverter. So I buy the inverter. I do the solar battery," he elaborated.

The SDP candidate proposed that these solar panel factories could be established in Nigeria through strategic partnerships with countries like China, Turkey, and India. He added that Nigerians would then be trained to operate these facilities efficiently.

Adebayo underscored that the proposed solar clusters would not only provide essential electricity for household activities but also serve as a major catalyst for job creation. He projected, "You put all of that, and you generate employment, and you now generate up to 32,000 megawatts from these clusters that you do. Then you forget about it. I told them that the way we are going to manage the national grid. National grid is a backup. In case a cluster fails, you will power from there."

Beyond energy, Adebayo also advocated for the government to undertake strategic investments in crucial sectors of the economy, citing the aviation and manufacturing industries as key examples. He argued that the government should participate in these industries through operating and maintenance contracts, rather than ceding these vital sectors entirely to private operators.

Concerning broader energy generation, Adebayo's administration would also prioritise domestic crude oil refining and vigorously tackle crude oil theft, which he identified as significant factors hindering energy security and economic development. He asserted that roughly 900,000 barrels of crude oil are still being stolen, and recovering this stolen oil would ensure adequate supply without requiring additional government expenditure. Adebayo concluded by stating that government investment in sectors such as electricity and education inherently creates employment, as workers engaged in these areas would earn incomes.