LASAA Reaffirms Commitment to Fairness, Safety and Industry Growth

The Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) has reaffirmed its dedication to fairness, professionalism, and sustainable growth in the outdoor advertising sector, dispelling recent concerns over a possible return to arbitrary enforcement and heavy-handed regulation.

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In a statement, the Agency emphasized its longstanding tradition of partnership and dialogue with industry stakeholders. Refuting claims that it seeks to “wield the big stick,” LASAA highlighted its track record of convening stakeholder forums, maintaining cordial relationships with operators, offering concessions such as discounts on vacant billboard charges, and seeking industry input before introducing major policy changes.

Prince Fatiu Akiolu, Managing Director of LASAA, clarified that the Agency does not compete commercially with private operators. Rather, it oversees a limited number of state-approved advertising structures used primarily for government programmes, public awareness campaigns, and regulatory purposes. He underscored that LASAA’s core mandate remains the promotion of orderliness, public safety, and environmental aesthetics across Lagos.

Addressing licensing procedures, Prince Akiolu explained that stringent criteria are in place to ensure only qualified practitioners operate within the market. On the issue of billboard oversupply—particularly illegal structures near military and police formations—he disclosed that LASAA has maintained a moratorium on new registrations and permits since early 2025. This measure, he noted, is designed to preserve industry integrity and raise professional standards.

He further stressed that LASAA’s regulatory approach is preventive rather than punitive. The Agency’s Health and Safety team actively verifies that outdoor installations comply with engineering and safety benchmarks, while regulatory interventions focus on monitoring, early warnings, and corrective measures, with enforcement applied only as a last resort.

While acknowledging persistent challenges such as spacing violations, inadequate setbacks, and structural infractions, the Managing Director attributed these largely to lapses in operator compliance rather than regulatory excesses. He urged stakeholders, including the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) and other licensed professionals, to strengthen self-regulation and support LASAA’s efforts to report and address infractions.

To safeguard public interest and restore order, LASAA has embarked on a comprehensive cleanup operation targeting illegal and unsafe advertising structures. Prince Akiolu emphasized that outdoor advertising is central to Lagos’s visual identity and called for responsible industry practices that enhance the city’s beauty, safety, and economic vibrancy.

Reassuring stakeholders, he reiterated that LASAA’s mandate is not to stifle growth or penalize legitimate operators but to provide a transparent, balanced regulatory environment that protects investments while promoting sustainable industry development.

“LASAA remains committed to fairness, safety, and professionalism in all its operations,” Prince Akiolu affirmed. “Our goal is to work with stakeholders to nurture a vibrant, responsible and sustainable outdoor advertising industry that contributes positively to the image and economy of Lagos.”