Lagos Govt Denies N700m Billboard Permit Fee for 2027 Elections

The Lagos State Government has denied reports that it increased billboard permit fees to N700 million, describing the claim as fake news. According to the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, the government does not own or operate billboards, but rather regulates outdoor advertising through the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA). Omotoso made the clarification amid controversy over the alleged high cost of securing billboard permits for political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The controversy began after the Director-General of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential Campaign Council, Mallam Ibrahim Hussain Abdulkarim, allegedly stated that Lagos charges nearly N700 million for a licence to erect a political billboard. Abdulkarim reportedly said that the party had decided to adopt an alternative publicity strategy by turning its members into walking billboards. However, Omotoso dismissed the allegation, saying it was meant to tarnish the image of the government.

Omotoso explained that billboards are owned by private operators and that the most expensive billboard costs around N10 million monthly. He stressed that LASAA only regulates outdoor advertising and does not determine the rates charged by billboard owners. To register as an outdoor advertising practitioner in Lagos, one 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 Omotoso, billboard advertisements, including political campaign materials, must be displayed on approved advertising structures operated by registered outdoor advertising practitioners with valid LASAA permits. The 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 LASAA 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 a bastion of democracy and equal opportunities for all politicians and their parties, urging political parties and other stakeholders to comply with the established regulations. The government encourages parties to follow the guidelines and regulations set by LASAA to ensure a smooth and fair electoral process.

Key points

• The Lagos State Government denies claims of increasing billboard permit fees to N700m, describing the allegation as fake news.
• The government does not own or operate billboards, but regulates outdoor advertising through LASAA.
• Billboard owners pay regulatory fees to LASAA based on factors such as size, format, and location of advertising structures.