The Lagos State Government has dismissed claims that it charges ₦700 million for billboard permits, describing the allegation as false.
The government’s position was contained in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, on November 13, 2026, in response to a social media post alleging that the high cost of billboard advertising was responsible for the limited presence of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) on Lagos roads.
Omotoso said the claim did not reflect the state’s outdoor advertising regulatory framework, explaining that billboards are owned and operated by private advertising companies.
He said the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) does not operate billboards or determine the commercial rates charged by their owners, but regulates the sector and administers permits.
According to the statement, the cost of billboard advertising is determined by private operators, while the most expensive billboard placement is estimated at about ₦10 million monthly.
The government, however, clarified that anyone seeking registration as an outdoor advertising practitioner in Lagos must pay a one-off, non-refundable fee of ₦7 million to LASAA, register with the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and meet other stipulated requirements.
It also explained that statutory permit fees payable to LASAA are separate from the commercial charges for media placement, production and other advertising services provided by registered practitioners.
The statement said billboard advertisements, including political campaign materials, must be displayed on approved advertising structures operated by registered outdoor advertising practitioners with valid LASAA permits.
It added that the structures must meet regulatory requirements covering their locations, structural safety and environmental standards.
According to the government, applicable regulatory fees for billboard structures vary based on factors such as size, format and location, with different rates applying across designated zones.
Omotoso said LASAA had recently conducted public sensitisation on election campaign advertising guidelines to educate political parties, candidates, advertising practitioners and members of the public on the rules governing campaign advertisements in the state.
He added that the agency would continue to enforce compliance with the regulations and remove election campaign materials after campaign activities to restore the city’s visual appearance at no cost to the public.
LASAA’s responsibilities, the statement said, include regulating outdoor advertising, administering permits and ensuring that advertising structures and campaign materials comply with the law.
We do everything possible to supply quality news and information to all our valuable readers day in, day out and we are committed to keep doing this.
Your kind donation will help our continuous research efforts.
-Advertisement-
-Want to get the news as it breaks?-
