Lagos Denies N700m Billboard Permit Fee, Says Highest Advertising Cost Is N10m Monthly

According to report by Punch on Sunday, November 15, 2026 Here is a professionally rewritten version suitable for publication, with a strong news headline and more than 350 words.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in response to a social media publication alleging that the purported increase in billboard permit fees was responsible for the absence of National Democratic Congress (NDC) campaign materials on major roads across the state.

The social media post had suggested that the alleged charges explained why the party’s campaign materials were rarely visible in Lagos.

However, Omotoso rejected the allegation, describing it as fake news allegedly circulated by political opponents to damage the image of the state government.

He maintained that the government does not own or operate billboards, stressing that LASAA functions strictly as a regulatory agency.

“Billboards are owned by private operators. The most expensive billboard is about N10 million monthly. The government does not run billboards,” the commissioner stated.

He further explained that regulatory fees payable to LASAA were different from the commercial charges associated with billboard advertising, including media placement, production and other services provided by registered outdoor advertising practitioners.

According to him, the applicable regulatory charges vary depending on the size, format and location of advertising structures, with different rates established for designated areas across the state.

The clarification followed remarks by the Director-General of the NDC Presidential Campaign Council, Ibrahim Abdulkarim, who alleged that the Lagos State Government was demanding almost N700 million for a licence to erect a political billboard.

Abdulkarim made the allegation during an interview on Nigeria Info FM 99.3 on November 13, where he linked the purported cost to the party’s limited outdoor campaign visibility ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He explained that the party had decided to focus more on grassroots mobilisation rather than relying heavily on conventional billboard advertising.

“We now decided, let us be our own billboard,” he said.

Peter Obi is the presidential candidate of the NDC.

Omotoso also disclosed that individuals and organisations seeking to operate as outdoor advertising practitioners in Lagos State are required to pay a non-refundable, one-time registration fee of N7 million, register with the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and fulfil other statutory requirements.

Such structures are also expected to comply with established regulations covering approved locations, structural safety and environmental standards.

He assured residents that the agency would continue to monitor compliance with the guidelines and ensure that political campaign materials were displayed in accordance with the law.

Omotoso further stated that LASAA would remove political campaign materials after the conclusion of election activities without imposing any cost on the public, as part of efforts to maintain the cleanliness and visual appeal of Lagos.

He reiterated the state government’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for political participation, irrespective of party affiliation.

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