The Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency, LASAA has reassured stakeholders in the outdoor advertising sector of its commitment to fairness, professionalism, and sustainable growth, amid concerns of possible heavy-handed regulation.
Responding to speculations that the Agency might adopt arbitrary enforcement measures, LASAA Managing Director, Prince Fatiu Akiolu, said the era of “mutual suspicion” between regulators and operators was over.
He emphasised that the Agency has consistently fostered dialogue through stakeholder forums, concessions such as discounts on vacant billboard charges, and consultations before major policy decisions.
Akiolu clarified that LASAA does not compete with private operators but manages a limited number of state-approved structures used primarily for government programmes, public awareness, and regulatory oversight.
He stressed that the Agency’s core mandate remains orderliness, public safety, and environmental aesthetics.
On licensing, the LASAA boss explained that stringent criteria are applied to ensure only qualified practitioners operate in the market. He also disclosed that a moratorium on new registrations and permits has been in place since early 2025 to tackle oversupply, particularly in areas around military and police formations where illegal billboards are common.
“Our Health and Safety team actively verifies outdoor installations to ensure they meet engineering and safety standards,” Akiolu said, noting that LASAA’s approach is preventive, relying on monitoring, early warnings, and corrective interventions, with enforcement only as a last resort.
He acknowledged ongoing challenges such as violations of spacing, setback, and structural regulations, attributing them largely to operator non-compliance rather than regulatory excesses. He urged the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) and licensed practitioners to strengthen self-regulation and support the Agency in reporting infractions.
As part of efforts to restore order, LASAA has launched an enforcement and cleanup operation targeting unlawful advertising installations. Akiolu stressed that outdoor advertising plays a vital role in shaping Lagos’s visual identity and must be managed responsibly.
Reaffirming LASAA’s stance, he said the Agency’s role is not to stifle growth but to ensure a balanced regulatory framework that safeguards investments, protects lives, and enhances the beauty of Lagos.
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