Lagosians view govt imposition of fees on solar power with suspicion 

Ebun Emmanuel — June 08,2026

Many residents of Lagos State are viewing with growing anxiety, the decision of the government to impose administrative fees, as well as approval documents before installing solar power systems.

A video has gone viral showing officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Housing confronting a resident over solar panels installed on his apartment without approval.

The incident sparked widespread criticism on social media, with many residents accusing the state government of attempting to tax citizens for seeking alternative sources of electricity amid persistent power shortages.

However, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Wale Ajetunmobi, clarified that the policy does not apply to all Lagos residents.

He said, “This development is true, but the man who made the video seems to be misinformed about the Lagos State Government’s guidelines for installing solar energy systems in social housing estates”.

According to him, only occupants of government-owned housing estates are required to seek approval and pay administrative fees before carrying out structural modifications, including the installation of solar systems.

“Only residents living in government-owned social housing estates are charged administrative fees for alterations, such as the installation of a solar power system, before any additional development can be permitted,” he explained.

Ajetunmobi stated that solar installations are treated as structural alterations because they often involve shared spaces and could affect the original design of the buildings.

“Any alteration must be processed through the physical planning and survey departments of the Ministry of Housing for approval, material compliance, and post-inspection checks.

“The simple rule for any estate occupant is to contact the state government (facility manager) for approval for any external alteration,” he said.

Despite the government’s clarification, many Lagos residents remain dissatisfied, arguing that Ajetumobi’s explanation is an afterthought.

Many said the government might focus on its housing estates presently, but it would soon expand it to everywhere, following the state’s penchant for taxing anything.