Oyo Cracks Down on Unauthorised Billboards, Sanctions Over 18 Advertising Structures …Government warns operators to comply with regulations or face tougher sanctions

The Oyo State Government has intensified efforts to sanitise the outdoor advertising industry with the commencement of an enforcement exercise targeting billboard operators who have failed to comply with regulatory requirements.

The operation, carried out on Friday by the Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OYSAA), saw regulatory action taken against more than 18 billboard structures found to be operating without the necessary approvals across the state.

In a statement, the agency said the exercise followed extensive compliance verification and inspection across billboard locations, during which several structures were found to be in violation of the state’s signage regulations.

According to OYSAA, the enforcement came after affected operators had received several demand notices, participated in stakeholder engagements and were given ample time to regularise their operations.

The agency identified the violations to include failure to pay statutory billboard and advertisement fees, operation without valid permits, display of advertisements on unregistered structures, continued use of billboards previously marked for compliance, erection of advertising structures without government approval, failure to meet structural and environmental standards, and installation of billboards in unauthorised locations.

It explained that the exercise was targeted solely at operators who failed to comply with the law, stressing that billboard owners with valid permits, approved structures and verified payment records were not affected.

OYSAA stated that the enforcement included verification of approval and payment records, sealing of defaulting billboard structures, removal or deactivation of unauthorised advertisements, documentation of affected sites, issuance of final compliance notices and the commencement of processes to recover outstanding statutory fees and enforcement costs.

The agency said the exercise demonstrates the state’s commitment to ensuring a more organised, safe and professionally regulated outdoor advertising industry.

“The enforcement reflects the determination of the Oyo State Government to promote discipline, fairness and professionalism within the outdoor advertising sector,” the statement read.

It added that “the affected operators had been given sufficient notice and opportunities to comply before enforcement began.”

Reaffirming the objective of the exercise, the agency said, “Our objective is to protect law-abiding practitioners, improve road safety and ensure that all operators meet the same regulatory obligations.”

OYSAA further disclosed that the exercise marks the first phase of a broader compliance drive that will extend to billboard corridors and other strategic locations across the state.

It warned that operators who fail to regularise their advertising structures would be liable to further administrative and legal sanctions.

The agency also advised billboard owners, businesses, religious and political organisations, as well as corporate institutions, to verify the status of their advertising structures, renew expired permits, clear outstanding assessments and obtain the necessary approvals before erecting or displaying new advertisements.

It further urged stakeholders to make all payments only through approved government payment channels.