BY DONALD IKENNA

Nigeria’s grid is notoriously unreliable, leaving millions dependent on costly and polluting generators. Government and private on-grid electricity companies have consistently failed to provide stable, affordable power, pushing citizens toward solar alternatives. While the government seeks to promote local solar manufacturing by proposing a ban on solar panel imports by 2025, domestic production capacity remains insufficient and unsupported to meet demand, threatening supply scarcity and price hikes.

Beyond the rumoured attempted import bans on solar panels, there are reports of some state and even federal governments considering taxing households and businesses that install solar rooftop solutions. This punitive approach discourages citizens from investing in clean energy solutions that could alleviate their energy challenges, thus effectively penalising those seeking self-reliance, increasing job creation, stimulating productivity, and finding leisure and rest, away from the troubles and insanity of life.

The government’s sweeping advisory against rooftop solar, aimed ostensibly at curbing substandard installations, risks undermining legitimate solar adoption at such a critical time. These policies or advisories, as they claim, appear aligned with entrenched electricity providers who may view decentralised solar power as a threat to their market dominance.

Rather than fostering an enabling environment for renewables, the government, whether the state or federal government, should not be seen erecting regulatory and financial obstacles that hinder solar adoption in Nigeria.

What Should Be Done? Rooftop solar is a globally proven, scalable solution for homes and businesses, especially where grid power is unreliable. The government should remove all thoughts, actions and attempts to introduce punitive taxes on solar adopters and instead provide incentives to encourage uptake. Secondly, policies to boost local manufacturing of solar components in the country must prioritise and be balanced with pragmatic support for imports to ensure immediate access to affordable solar technology.

Thirdly, Agencies like the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) and the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) should be supported to enforce quality and safety standards without discouraging legitimate providers. Support licensed professionals and quality installers rather than issuing blanket advisories that create confusion and fear.

Federal and State governments should dismantle unnecessary regulatory hurdles and punitive taxation that disincentivise solar adoption. Provide tax credits, subsidies, and clear guidelines to accelerate renewable energy deployment, as outlined in Nigeria’s 2025 Solar Policy framework, which includes tax incentives to make solar affordable and accessible.

Rooftop solar is globally recognised as a vital and scalable solution for households, SMEs, and institutions seeking reliable and sustainable power. We all should call on the Nigerian government and its agencies to ensure solar installations meet safety and quality standards, and encourage more local production as well as adoption of the technology.

To conclude, discouraging solar adoption through attempted import bans, punitive taxes, and blanket advisories in a country plagued by electricity shortages is a classic case of “problems meeting poor solution thinking.” If the government cannot solve the power crisis, it must not stand in the way of those who can. Nigeria’s path to energy security lies in embracing—not obstructing—the renewable revolution.

“The problem you cannot solve, do not create obstacles for others trying to fix it; the labour you refuse to do, refrain from stealing the gains of those who do…It is time to dismantle interests that benefit from the status quo and empower citizens with real, sustainable solutions.”

 Donald Ikenna is the programme manager, Sustainable Nigeria, HBS Abuja. He can be contacted via [email protected]

Views expressed by contributors are strictly personal and not of TheCable.