Everyone should adopt solar power, like Aso Rock, Cleric, Olumide Emmanuel

Dr. Olumide Emmanuel, CEO of Common Sense Group, is urging Nigerians to embrace solar energy as a solution to the country's persistent electricity challenges and soaring fuel costs. He points to the Presidential Villa's adoption of solar power as a precedent that other homes and businesses should follow.

Emmanuel contends that Nigeria does not suffer from a revenue problem but rather a deficit in management and wealth multiplication. He notes that the removal of fuel subsidies has significantly increased the financial resources available to state governors, with some receiving up to four times their previous allocations. Despite this influx of funds, Emmanuel expresses concern that many governors are not effectively utilizing these resources for development.

“

I don’t think our country has a revenue problem, even though people try to claim that. I don’t really think we have a revenue problem. I think we have a management and multiplication problem.

He calls for greater accountability from state governors and local government chairmen, emphasizing that they should be held responsible for addressing critical issues, including electricity supply. Emmanuel recalls past instances where state-level power generation initiatives faced federal opposition, but highlights that current regulations now permit states to generate their own power.

“

Because when it comes to wealth creation, either for individuals, families, or organisations, you need to make the money first. But if you make the money and you don’t manage it well, improper management of what you make will make you look like someone that is not making any money, which is part of our major issue. And then you need to multiply the money.

Emmanuel criticizes the inaction of states in leveraging their newfound financial freedom and regulatory permissions to invest in power generation. He suggests that the government's persistent complaints about a cash crunch are misplaced, arguing that the core issue lies in how available funds are managed and expanded.

His perspective is that while wealth creation is essential, improper management of existing funds can create the illusion of scarcity. Therefore, he advocates for a shift in focus towards effective financial stewardship and strategic investment to multiply wealth, rather than solely relying on increased revenue.

“

The question then will be, how do we utilise the money? If you look at what has happened in the last few years, especially with the removal of the subsidy, we realise that a lot of the governors actually have more money available to them than they have ever had in the history of the states.