The Lagos State Government has clarified that permit requirements and administrative fees for solar power installations apply only to residents living in state-owned social housing estates, and not to private homeowners across the state.
The clarification followed a viral video showing officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Housing confronting a resident over the installation of solar panels, reportedly insisting on approval and payment before the work could continue.
In the video, officials from the ministry’s Monitoring and Compliance Unit told the resident that permission was required before carrying out such modifications within government-owned housing estates.
The incident sparked public debate, with concerns raised that such requirements could discourage the adoption of renewable energy at a time when many households are turning to solar power due to unstable electricity supply.
Responding to the controversy, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Wale Ajetunmobi, explained that the affected individual was likely a tenant in a government social housing estate and may have misunderstood the policy.
He stressed that the rule does not apply to all Lagos residents but only to occupants of state-owned housing schemes, where the government acts as facility manager.
According to him, any structural alteration—including solar installations that may affect shared spaces—requires approval from relevant departments within the Ministry of Housing for safety and regulatory compliance.
He added that the regulation is intended to prevent damage to estate infrastructure and avoid liabilities arising from unapproved modifications, such as fire incidents or structural issues.
The state government also referenced existing urban planning laws, noting that structural changes in residential buildings generally require official approval to ensure safety and proper development standards.
