The Lagos State government has denied claims that it increased political campaign billboard permit fees to ₦700 million ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The government also added that billboard advertising in Lagos is operated by private companies, with some premium advertising spaces costing approximately ₦10 million monthly.
Naija News reports that the clarification was given in a statement on Sunday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, following social media allegations that the purported fee increase was preventing certain political parties from advertising across the state.
However, the government explained that the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) regulates outdoor advertising but does not own billboard structures or determine the commercial rates charged by private operators.
“The government of Lagos State wishes to debunk the claim that it has raised billboard permit fee to N700m.
“Billboards are owned by private operators. The most expensive billboard is about N10million monthly. The government does not run billboards,” the statement read.
The controversy followed comments made by Abdulkarim during an interview on Nigeria Info FM 99.3 on November 13, 2026, where he alleged that the cost of obtaining political billboard licences in Lagos was making it difficult for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to advertise.
According to him, the party had resorted to alternative methods of promoting its political message because of the alleged exorbitant cost of outdoor advertising.
“Lagos is charging almost N700 million just for a licence to erect a political billboard.
“We now decided, let us be our own billboard,” Abdulkarim alleged.
However, the Lagos State government clarified that while it does not determine the rates, all political parties and candidates are entitled to advertise, provided they comply with established regulations.
It explained that campaign materials must be displayed on approved advertising structures operated by registered practitioners holding valid LASAA permits.
The structures must also meet requirements relating to location, safety and environmental standards.
“LASAA does not determine the rates charged by billboard owners,” the statement explained.
