The Oyo State Government has commenced a fresh enforcement exercise against non-compliant billboard operators, sealing more than 18 billboard structures operating without the required approvals across the state.
The enforcement, carried out by the Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OYSAA), is aimed at restoring order in the outdoor advertising sector, improving public safety and ensuring strict compliance with the state’s signage regulations.
According to a statement issued by the agency, the affected billboard structures were identified during compliance verification and inspection exercises conducted across the state.
The agency said the action followed several demand notices, stakeholder engagements and repeated opportunities given to operators to regularise their operations before enforcement commenced.
It listed the infractions to include non-payment of assessed billboard and advertisement fees, operation without valid permits, display of advertisements on unregistered structures, continued use of structures previously marked for compliance, erection of billboards without approval, failure to meet structural and environmental standards and the placement of billboards in unauthorised locations.
OYSAA clarified that only billboard owners and practitioners found to have violated the regulations were affected by the exercise.
It stressed that operators with valid permits, approvals and verified evidence of payment were not impacted.
The agency said the enforcement involved inspection and verification of approval and payment records, sealing of non-compliant structures, removal or deactivation of unauthorised advertisements, documentation of affected structures, issuance of final compliance directives and commencement of processes to recover outstanding statutory fees and enforcement costs.
Speaking on the exercise, the agency said the action underscored the determination of the state government to sanitise the 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 agency stated.
It added, ‘The affected operators had been given sufficient notice and opportunities to comply before enforcement began.’
Reiterating the objectives of the exercise, OYSAA said, ‘Our objective is to protect law-abiding practitioners, improve road safety and ensure that all operators meet the same regulatory obligations.’
The agency further warned that the ongoing exercise was only the first phase of a wider compliance campaign.
‘This enforcement exercise marks the beginning of a wider compliance campaign across billboard corridors and other strategic locations in the state. Operators who fail to regularise their structures risk further administrative or legal action,’ it said.
OYSAA also urged billboard owners, businesses, religious and political organisations, as well as corporate institutions, to verify the status of their advertising structures, renew expired permits, settle outstanding assessments and obtain the necessary approvals before erecting or displaying new advertisements.