The Lagos State Government has said that a man in a video on social media lamenting about solar energy system charges by the Lagos State Government has been misinformed about the state's policy regarding social housing estates.

According to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's aide, Wale Ajetunmobi, the man is likely to be a tenant in one of these social housing estates owned by the Lagos State Government. "Otherwise, he wouldn’t have raised concerns about something that was clearly outlined in the indemnity document he signed before the Government handed over the apartment to him after purchase," Ajetunmobi said on X.

He clarified that the Lagos State Government does not charge all residents living in the state for a permit to install solar power systems for domestic use in their homes, as the video suggested.

"ONLY residents living in the government-owned social housing estates are charged administrative fees for Alterations, such as installation of solar power system, before any additional development can be permitted," he said.

He said the reason for this is that the state government is responsible for maintaining facilities in its social housing estates. He pointed out that there is public electricity supply system already installed in the estates, stressing that the installation of an additional power system would be considered an alteration to the original design and functionality of an estate building.

Sanwo-Olu emphasised that 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. The man in the video obviously did not apply for approval before embarking on such an alteration. The uniformed men seen in the video are from the Monitoring and Compliance Unit of the Ministry.

"The Government has had to deal with liability from unpermitted alterations by estate residents, including leaking roofs and severe damage caused by fire.

"So, the simple rule for any estate occupant is to contact the State Government (facility manager) for approval for any external alteration they want to undertake in their building. If an unpermitted alteration affects the entire property, other occupants will hold the government responsible," he said.