Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) has responded to latest apprehensions suggesting a resurgence of heavy-handed regulation and arbitrary enforcement within the State’s out of doors promoting sector. While acknowledging the issues, LASAA sought to reaffirm its dedication to regulatory equity, business professionalism and the sustainable development of outside promoting in Lagos.
Refuting claims that LASAA intends to “wield the big stick,” the Agency drew consideration to its longstanding follow of fostering dialogue and partnership with business stakeholders.
Prince Fatiu Akiolu, Managing Director of the Agency said, “The era of mutual suspicion is firmly behind us,” including that the Agency “regularly convenes stakeholder fora, maintains cordial relationships with industry players, offers concessions such as discounts on vacant billboard charges and seeks stakeholders input before making major policy decisions.”
Prince Akiolu clarified that LASAA doesn’t compete with personal operators commercially. Instead, it manages a restricted variety of state-approved promoting buildings primarily reserved to amplify authorities programmes, public consciousness initiatives and regulatory oversight. These, with the Agency’s core mandate specializing in orderliness, public security, and environmental aesthetics.
He stated these efforts purpose to serve the broader pursuits of Lagos residents and reiterated that the Agency’s core mandate stays the enforcement of orderliness, public security and environmental aesthetics inside the state.
On licensing, the Managing Director defined that stringent standards guarantee solely certified practitioners function available in the market. Addressing issues about billboard oversupply, significantly round navy and police formations the place unlawful buildings are frequent, he famous that LASAA has imposed a moratorium on new registrations and permits since early 2025. “This moratorium intends to uphold industry integrity and elevate professional standards.”
Prince Fatiu defined that, “the Agency’s Health and Safety team actively verifies that outdoor installations meet engineering and safety benchmarks to mitigate risks to life and property.”
He famous that LASAA’s regulatory strategy is primarily preventive slightly than punitive and depends on monitoring, early warnings and corrective interventions, with enforcement used solely when completely obligatory.
Acknowledging ongoing challenges comparable to violations of spacing, setback and structural rules, the MD attributed these primarily to lapses in operator compliance slightly than regulatory overreach. He urged stakeholders, together with the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) and licensed professionals, to strengthen self-regulation and collaborate in reporting infractions to reinforce Lagos’s security, visible attraction and {economic} vibrancy.
To forestall a relapse into dysfunction, LASAA has launched a complete enforcement and cleanup operation concentrating on illegal promoting installations to revive city order and shield public pursuits. Prince Fatiu burdened the important function out of doors promoting performs in defining Lagos’s visible id and known as for accountable business stewardship.
He reiterated LASAA’s dedication to sustaining a balanced regulatory framework that ensures oversight whereas supporting business sustainability. This strategy goals to create a clear surroundings that safeguards investments and enhances the town’s aesthetics.
The Managing Director reassured the general public and out of doors promoting professionals that LASAA’s mandate is to not stifle development or punish official operators however to make sure a good, regulated and sustainable out of doors promoting sector in Lagos. He reaffirmed his dedication to nurturing an surroundings that protects investments, safeguards the general public and enhances the fantastic thing about Lagos.
