LASAA Reaffirms Commitment to Fair Regulation, Industry Growth and Public Safety
The Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) has reassured stakeholders in the outdoor advertising sector that its regulatory operations will continue to be guided by fairness, professionalism, and a commitment to industry growth.
This comes in response to recent concerns over alleged plans to revive heavy-handed regulation and arbitrary enforcement in the sector.
Addressing the issue, LASAA’s Managing Director, Prince Fatiu Akiolu, dismissed such claims, stressing that the era of hostility between the Agency and operators was over. He highlighted LASAA’s tradition of fostering dialogue and partnership with stakeholders through regular fora, cordial engagements, and policy consultations.
“The era of mutual suspicion is firmly behind us,” Prince Akiolu said. “We regularly convene stakeholder meetings, maintain cordial relationships with industry players, offer concessions such as discounts on vacant billboard charges, and seek stakeholder input before making major policy decisions.”
He clarified that LASAA does not compete commercially with private operators. Instead, it manages a limited number of government-approved structures reserved for public campaigns, awareness drives, and regulatory purposes. According to him, the Agency’s mandate remains focused on maintaining orderliness, public safety, and environmental aesthetics in Lagos.
On licensing, the LASAA boss explained that stringent criteria are applied to ensure only qualified practitioners operate within the market. He disclosed that the Agency imposed a moratorium on new registrations and permits in early 2025, particularly to address concerns of billboard oversupply and illegal structures around sensitive locations such as military and police formations.
“This moratorium is intended to uphold industry integrity and elevate professional standards,” he said.
Prince Akiolu also emphasized the Agency’s preventive regulatory approach, noting that LASAA’s Health and Safety team routinely inspects outdoor structures to ensure compliance with engineering and safety standards. Enforcement, he said, is applied only when absolutely necessary, with preference given to monitoring, early warnings, and corrective measures.
Acknowledging recurring issues of spacing, setback, and structural violations, he attributed most infractions to operator lapses rather than regulatory excess. He therefore urged the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) and licensed practitioners to strengthen self-regulation and work closely with LASAA in reporting violations.
To safeguard public interest and restore order, LASAA has embarked on a state-wide cleanup operation targeting illegal and unsafe advertising structures. The initiative, he said, is designed to protect lives, safeguard investments, and preserve the city’s visual identity.
Prince Akiolu reaffirmed that LASAA’s role is not to stifle growth or punish operators but to ensure a fair, transparent, and sustainable outdoor advertising environment.
“Our commitment is to create a balanced framework that guarantees oversight while supporting industry sustainability. This way, we protect investments, enhance Lagos’s beauty, and promote economic vibrancy,” he stated.