By Our Reporter
The Lagos State Government has dismissed reports that it has increased billboard permit fees to ₦700 million, describing the claim as false and misleading.
The government, in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said the allegation was circulated by mischievous politicians and their social media supporters to tarnish the image of the state government.
The clarification followed a social media post claiming that the alleged ₦700 million fee was responsible for the absence of the New Democratic Congress (NDC) campaign materials on Lagos roads.
Omotoso explained that billboards are owned and operated by private advertising practitioners, adding that the most expensive billboard placement in the state costs about ₦10 million monthly.
He stressed that the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) does not operate billboards or determine the commercial rates charged by billboard owners, but serves as a regulatory agency responsible for administering permits and ensuring compliance with the law.
The commissioner said political campaign advertisements, like other outdoor advertising materials, must be displayed on approved structures operated by registered outdoor advertising practitioners with valid LASAA permits.
He added that such structures must meet established requirements relating to location, structural safety and environmental standards, while applicable regulatory fees are determined by factors such as size, format and location, with rates varying across designated zones.
According to him, anyone seeking to register as an outdoor advertising practitioner in Lagos must pay a non-refundable, one-off registration fee of ₦7 million to LASAA, register with the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and fulfil other statutory requirements.
Omotoso further clarified that statutory permit fees payable to LASAA are separate from the commercial costs of media placement, production and other advertising services provided by registered outdoor advertising practitioners.
He said the agency had recently embarked on public sensitisation on election campaign advertising guidelines to educate political parties, candidates, advertising practitioners and members of the public on the applicable regulations.
The commissioner assured that Lagos remained committed to providing equal opportunities for all political parties and candidates, urging them to comply with established rules governing outdoor campaign advertisements.
He also disclosed that LASAA would remove campaign communication materials after the electioneering activities at no cost to the public, to restore the city’s visually pleasing environment.
