Oyo Govt Begins Enforcement Against Over 18 Illegal Billboards

…OYSAA seals non-compliant structures, warns defaulters to regularise operations or face legal action

The Oyo State Government has commenced a fresh enforcement exercise against non-compliant billboard operators, taking regulatory action against 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) on Friday, forms part of efforts to restore order in the outdoor advertising industry, enhance public safety and ensure compliance with existing signage regulations.

According to a statement issued by the agency, the affected billboard structures were identified during compliance verification and inspection exercises.

OYSAA said the enforcement followed several demand notices, stakeholder engagements and opportunities previously given to operators to regularise their operations.

The agency listed the violations to include non-payment of assessed billboard and advertisement fees, operation without valid permits, display of adverts on unregistered structures, continued use of structures previously marked for compliance, erection of billboards without approval, failure to meet structural and environmental standards, as well as the placement of billboards in unauthorised locations.

OYSAA explained that only billboard owners and practitioners found to be in breach of the regulations were affected, noting that operators with valid permits, approvals and verified evidence of payment were not impacted by the exercise.

The agency said enforcement measures included 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, OYSAA said the action reflects the determination of the Oyo State Government to promote discipline, fairness and professionalism within the outdoor advertising sector, stressing that the affected operators had been given sufficient notice and opportunities to comply before enforcement began.

The agency maintained that its objective is to protect law-abiding practitioners, improve road safety and ensure that all operators meet the same regulatory obligations.

OYSAA added that the enforcement exercise marks the beginning of a wider compliance campaign across billboard corridors and other strategic locations in the state, warning that operators who fail to regularise their structures risk further administrative or legal action.

The agency 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 necessary approvals before erecting or displaying new advertisements.

It advised that all payments should be made only through approved government payment channels.