A viral video showing Lagos State housing officials confronting a resident over solar panel installation has sparked outrage across the state, with many accusing the government of taxing citizens for trying to survive persistent power shortages.
In the clip, officials from the Ministry of Housing’s monitoring unit demanded that the resident obtain approval and pay a fee before installing solar panels.
The incident quickly fueled anger online, with critics warning that such requirements could discourage renewable energy adoption in a country plagued by electricity crises.
Responding to the backlash, Wale Ajetunmobi, Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, clarified that the policy applies only to residents of government-owned social housing estates, not private homeowners.
He explained that solar installations in these estates are treated as structural alterations requiring approval to prevent liabilities such as roof damage or fire hazards.
Despite the clarification, many Lagosians remain unconvinced. Businessman Anthony Osewele condemned the policy as “an attempt to sell God’s energy,” while lawyer Marcellus Onah argued that residents are turning to solar out of necessity, not luxury, due to the collapse of public electricity supply.
Estate agent Rowland Adebayo added that Lagosians are already burdened by multiple taxes and levies without adequate public services.
For critics, the issue goes beyond solar power. They see it as part of a growing system of levies imposed on citizens who already provide their own electricity, water, and security.
Many fear the policy could eventually extend to private estates, making solar adoption even more costly.
The controversy has now escalated into a wider debate about governance, taxation, and the limits of state control in a city grappling with deepening economic hardship.
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