Nigerians to get permit for solar installation

Nigerians, residents of Lagos State to be precise, will have to obtain a permit before installing solar panels in their house.

Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State government confirmed fees for installing solar energy systems in social housing estates.

According to Legit, the state government stated this while reacting to a viral video of a resident complaining about the solar permit fee.

The Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Sanwo-Olu said the Lagos State Government does not charge all residents living in Lagos a permit to install solar power systems for domestic use in their homes, as the video suggested.

He explained that the solar permit fee is for residents living in the government-owned social housing estates. He said they are charged administrative fees for alterations, such as the installation of a solar power system, before any additional development can be permitted.

Sanwo-Olu’s aide made this known via his X handle @Riddwane on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. He added that it was clearly outlined in the indemnity document that landlords signed before the Government handed over the apartment to them after purchase. The governor’s aide said it is likely that the man is a tenant in one of these social housing estates owned by the Lagos State Government.

“The reason for this is that the State Government is responsible for maintaining facilities in its social housing estates. There is a public electricity supply system already installed in the Estates. Installation of an additional power system is taken as an alteration to the original design and functionality of an Estate building.

“Any alteration must be run through the Physical Planning and Survey departments of the Ministry of Housing for approval, material compliance, and post-inspection checks. Those solar power systems are usually installed by occupants in shared areas; so this alteration must be approved by the facility manager (Government) before any occupant can proceed.”