The Lagos State Government has denied claims that it increased billboard permit fees to N700 million, describing the allegation as fake news intended to tarnish its image.
Politics Nigeria reports that the state government insisted that it does not own or operate billboards. It explained that the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) only regulates outdoor advertising in the state.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, stated this in a clarification issued amid controversy over the alleged high cost of securing billboard permits for political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Politics Nigeria reports that the controversy followed remarks attributed to the Director-General of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential Campaign Council, Mallam Ibrahim Hussain Abdulkarim, who reportedly alleged that Lagos charges nearly N700 million for a licence to erect a political billboard.
“Lagos is charging almost N700 million just for a licence to erect a political billboard,” Abdulkarim was quoted as saying.
He reportedly explained that the party had decided to adopt an alternative publicity strategy by turning its members into walking billboards.
“We have decided to be our own billboards,” he said.
However, Omotoso dismissed the allegation, describing it as “a piece of fake news meant to tarnish the image of the government by mischievous politicians and their social media bullies.”
He said, “Billboards are owned by private operators. The most expensive billboard is about N10 million monthly. The government does not run billboards.”
The commissioner stressed that LASAA was only a regulator and did not determine the rates charged by billboard owners.
He explained that anyone interested in registering as an outdoor advertising practitioner in Lagos must obtain a non-refundable registration form for N7 million, register with the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and fulfil other legal requirements.
According to him, billboard advertisements, including political campaign materials, must be displayed on approved advertising structures operated by registered outdoor advertising practitioners with valid LASAA permits.
He added that applicable regulatory fees for billboard owners depend on factors such as the size, format and location of advertising structures, with rates varying across designated zones.
Omotoso further clarified that statutory permit fees payable to LASAA are separate from commercial costs for media placement, production and other advertising services provided by registered outdoor advertising practitioners.
He also disclosed that LASAA had recently organised public sensitisation activities on election campaign advertising guidelines to educate political parties, candidates, advertising practitioners and members of the public on the applicable regulations.
The commissioner maintained that the agency would continue to enforce compliance with outdoor advertising regulations, including requirements relating to the location, structural safety and environmental standards of advertising structures.
He added that LASAA would remove election campaign materials after political activities “to bring back the city to its visually-pleasing state at no cost to the public.”
Omotoso insisted that Lagos would remain “the bastion of democracy and equal opportunities for all politicians and their parties,” urging political parties and other stakeholders to comply with the established regulations.