By Engr Abdullahi Ramat, PhD
The incessant fire outbreak has been attributed to poorly installed rooftop solar systems, affecting both private residences and public spaces.
The statement, signed by the agency’s Managing Director, who also serves as the Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, comes in response to the rising number of fire outbreaks.
Last week, the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), pursuant to Sections 176(m) and 184(8) of the Electricity Act 2023, issued new regulatory guidelines for solar installations across Nigeria.
There is growing concern that several recent fire incidents in markets and commercial centres are directly or indirectly linked to substandard solar installations, often handled by unqualified personnel without adherence to basic safety standards.
The issue is not solar energy itself. It is the quality of installation. Across Nigeria, many systems are being deployed by unqualified installers without adherence to basic electrical standards. The consequences are becoming visible in avoidable incidents that threaten lives and property.
NEMSA’s directive addresses this gap directly. It requires that solar PV systems be installed only by certified electrical contractors, that installers possess valid competency certification, and that proper load assessment is conducted before installation. These are not new or burdensome requirements. They are standard safety principles already applied to conventional grid electricity, which is why grid-related fire incidents remain comparatively lower.
Solar energy, however, presents a different risk profile. Unlike centrally managed grid supply, solar systems generate power within homes and business premises. This makes faults immediate and localized. There is no external buffer. A wiring error, poor battery placement, or inadequate ventilation can quickly escalate into a fire incident. This reality makes strict compliance not optional, but essential.
The technical requirements outlined are straightforward and necessary. Roof structures must be capable of supporting installations. Panels must be mounted using approved frameworks. Adequate ventilation clearance must be maintained –minimum clearance of 0.13m. Systems must include both DC and AC isolators for safe shutdown. Batteries must be installed in well-ventilated spaces to prevent overheating. These are basic safety measures, not regulatory overreach.
It is important to state clearly that this directive did not originate from the Presidency and did not require the approval of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It is not a fiscal policy and contains no provision for taxation, levies, or charges on solar users. It is a routine safety intervention issued by the appropriate regulatory authority.
Part of the confusion appears to come from a separate measure by the Lagos State Government, which applies only to solar installations within government-owned social housing estates. This is an administrative control designed to ensure structural integrity and coordinated infrastructure within shared residential environments in the state. It is not a nationwide policy and does not apply to the general public.
In a democratic dispensation, public discourse and criticism are indispensable, but they must be firmly anchored in verified facts rather than speculation or hearsay. When false or unverified narratives gain traction, they do more than distort public understanding, they incite unnecessary panic and divert attention from genuine issues of safety and policy. It is therefore deeply concerning and totally unacceptable when respected figures, such as some Islamic clerics and pastors, who are who are held in great awe –morally and spiritually entrusted to uphold truth and encourage diligence in verification, become conduits for unverified information. Their platforms are not meant to amplify uncertainty or misinformation, but to guide responsibly, uphold integrity, and reinforce a culture of truth in public engagement irrespective of their inclination or leaning.
Nigeria is experiencing a necessary shift toward alternative energy. Solar adoption will continue to grow, driven by economic realities and the need for energy independence. That transition must be supported by clear, enforceable safety standards. Electricity, regardless of its source, is inherently hazardous when improperly handled.
There is no solar tax. There is only a call for professionalism, compliance, and responsibility. The focus should remain where it belongs: protecting lives, safeguarding property, and ensuring that the transition to cleaner energy does not introduce preventable risks —of course this is fundamentally the basic function of every government.
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