UN House Abuja Goes Green, Solar Installation Commissioned to Power Sustainable Operations

The United Nations in Nigeria recorded a major milestone in its sustainability ambitions on 5 March 2026, with the official switch-on ceremony of the Phase 1 solar power installation at the UN House in Abuja. The event, attended by representatives of UN agencies, government partners, and members of the diplomatic community, celebrated the transition of one of the UN’s key operational hubs in Africa to cleaner, renewable energy.

The initiative, “Greening the UN House Abuja”, forms part of the United Nations’ broader commitment to reducing its environmental footprint and advancing climate action globally. With the commissioning of the solar system, the UN House is expected to cut a significant portion of its electricity consumption from the national grid and diesel generators, thereby lowering carbon emissions and operational costs.

United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, 
noted that Nigeria held enormous renewable energy potential, particularly through solar power, noting that reliable electricity remained critical for economic growth, productivity and social development.

“Nigeria has one of the greatest renewable advantages anywhere in the world, abundant sunshine. Solar energy has the power to transform how the country generates electricity, supports industry and expands energy access for millions,” he stressed.

He said the UN was proud to support Nigeria’s efforts to expand renewable energy in line with the Electricity Act 2023 and the country’s climate commitments.

The Resident Coordinator explained that the solar installation would reduce annual electricity costs for the UN House by about 40 per cent, translating to savings of between 173 million naira and 216 million naira annually.

“Before this project, electricity costs for the UN House ranged between N432 million and N540 million annually. With the solar system now operational, annual electricity costs will fall by approximately 40 per cent, the UN system would save between N173 million and N216 million annually while also reducing grid electricity consumption by nearly one million kilowatt-hours each year. In addition, we will reduce around 300 tonnes of carbon emissions annually,” Fall said.

He added that Phase I of the project included a 400 kilowatt-peak solar photovoltaic microgrid, expandable to 700 kilowatts, alongside 650 kilowatt-hours of lithium-ion battery storage to provide energy resilience.

Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, described the initiative as an important step toward addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development.

Lawal said Nigeria must continue to adopt environmentally friendly energy solutions to reduce carbon emissions and protect the planet for future generations.

He expressed optimism that the project would inspire other institutions and organisations to adopt renewable energy technologies.

Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, said the project aligned with Nigeria’s energy transition agenda and the government’s efforts to promote renewable energy and modernise the power sector.

Adelabu, represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mahmuda Mamman, reaffirmed that the Federal Government remained committed to strengthening partnerships with development organisations to expand clean energy access nationwide.

Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Mr Abba Aliyu, commended the UN for demonstrating that renewable energy solutions were both practical and economically viable.

Aliyu noted that Nigeria required an estimated 23 billion U.S dollars to electrify underserved and unserved communities across the country using the most cost effective approaches.

He said that initiatives, such as the UN solar project helped to demonstrate how clean energy can support socio-economic development and improve electricity access.

Representatives from various UN agencies expressed optimism that the shift would improve operational resilience, especially during periods of grid instability. Staff members welcomed the project as a forward-looking investment that aligns with the UN’s global environmental standards and supports Nigeria’s national renewable energy goals.

The ceremony concluded with a symbolic switch-on moment, applauded by guests as the solar system came online. Attendees toured parts of the installation, gaining insights into its design and expected contributions to environmental sustainability.