Lagos cites safety risks, begins enforcement on solar panel installations

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Lagos State Ministry of Housing has commenced enforcement against unapproved solar panel installations in government-owned estates, citing growing safety concerns and risks to shared infrastructure.

The Permanent Secretary, Abdulhafis Toriola, said the move followed repeated incidents linked to poorly installed solar systems, including rooftop damage and fire outbreaks in some estates.

He explained that under existing regulations, residents are required to obtain prior approval from the Ministry before carrying out any structural modification, including the installation of solar panels.

“An allottee must obtain approval from the Ministry for any intended alteration to the flat allocated and the building, including installation of solar panels,” Toriola stated.

The enforcement drive gained public attention after officials from the Ministry’s Monitoring and Compliance Team requested documentation from a resident during a routine inspection at the Lagos State Millennium Housing Estate.

According to Toriola, the directive is not new but forms part of the conditions outlined in the Letter of Allocation and the Allottees Guide issued to homeowners at the point of purchase.

He noted that government housing estates operate on a shared infrastructure model, where facilities such as rooftops, walls and water systems are collectively used, making unregulated installations a potential risk to other residents.

“In recent times, the Ministry had to intervene in fixing leaking rooftops and addressing fire incidents caused by solar panel installations by some residents,” he said.

To address these challenges, the Ministry has developed detailed guidelines covering installation standards, quality of materials and the competence of technicians handling such projects. The framework also includes provisions for insurance, equitable use of shared rooftop space and mechanisms for resolving disputes among residents.

Toriola urged residents to seek necessary approvals and adhere strictly to the guidelines, stressing that the enforcement exercise is aimed at safeguarding lives, protecting public assets and ensuring orderly development within government estates.

He added that the Ministry would continue its sensitisation campaigns to educate residents on compliance requirements while sustaining monitoring activities across estates in the state.