In an effort to reduce the growing cost of public power supply, major Nigerian airports such as Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) and Akure Airport have begun utilizing solar energy during office hours. These airports are now relying on solar power for their primary operations and only switching to generating sets for passenger processing during peak hours.

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed that both Lagos and Abuja airports spend over ₦1 billion each on energy consumption every month. He stressed that the federal government is determined to transition these airports entirely off-grid to manage operational costs more effectively.

“We are doing far more than N1 billion for Lagos; far more than N1 billion for Abuja in a month. We are paying these for power in a month. It’s an open secret,” Keyamo said during a recent address. He added that an energy audit is currently underway to identify more cost-effective energy solutions for the aviation sector.

Keyamo emphasized that the cost of electricity is a significant financial burden for the aviation industry, affecting both flight operators and service providers. He said, “We want to move fully into off-grid power supply at these airports because the major source of revenue loss is the high energy cost. Currently, we rely on diesel generators when flights aren’t landing, which is unsustainable.”

Reacting to the government’s initiative, aviation expert Olumide Ohunayo welcomed the switch to solar energy, noting that it could significantly reduce operational costs. “Switching to solar can help lower operational costs, which could result in lower fees for airlines and passengers,” Ohunayo said. However, he stressed the importance of maintaining reliable backup systems for runway and emergency lighting.

This transition to solar energy at Nigerian airports reflects a growing emphasis on renewable energy in the country, as authorities seek sustainable solutions to the escalating costs of energy while enhancing operational efficiency.