By Oluseye Ojo
The Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OYSAA) has announced the launch of comprehensive reforms to sanitise and restructure the sector.
The agency’s Director-General, Oludolapo Eso-Ajanaku, who made this known to journalists, described the move as a decisive move to restore order, transparency, and regulatory compliance within the Out-Of-Home (OOH) advertising sector.
According to him, the reforms are a critical intervention aimed at aligning the sector with industry best practices towards ensuring a structured, orderly, and investment-friendly environment that would uphold professionalism, compliance, and ethical standards.
Eso-Ajanaku stated that the reforms were firmly in line with the infrastructural transformation vision of the state governor, Seyi Makinde, particularly in the areas of road development and urban renewal.
He noted that a disorganised and unregulated advertising sector would not only diminish the aesthetic and commercial value of the state, but would also pose environmental and safety hazards.
Eso-Ajanaku said OYSAA has commenced firm and decisive action to rid the state of illegal, substandard, and non-compliant advertising structures and signages.
The first phase of OYSAA’s comprehensive reforms, he stated, would begin with a two-week revalidation exercise from April 4th to April 18th, 2025.
“This crucial initiative aims to restore order, enforce compliance, and strengthen accountability in the sector. During this period, all third-party practitioners must undergo a thorough verification process, including the validation of company credentials, operational history, and compliance records.
“OYSAA is automating its internal processes, transitioning all third-party practitioners and business entities to a fully digital platform designed to enhance transparency, efficiency, and regulatory oversight.
“In the second phase, OYSAA will enforce stricter regulatory measures to uphold industry standards and ensure a safer, more sustainable OOH sector. This phase will introduce Premium Advertising Zones and Corridors within the Ibadan metropolis, strategically designated to enhance visual appeal, regulate clutter, and maximize advertising value.
“The agency will rigorously enforce safety standards, holding practitioners accountable for non-compliance in billboard erection and flex mounting. The use of substandard materials in billboard construction will be strictly prohibited, with severe penalties for violators.”
Eso-Ajanaku added that the agency would explore Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) with high-value advertising investors to foster sustainable sector development and revenue generation.
“Through these stringent measures, the agency aims to create a well-structured, investment-friendly advertising environment that aligns with Oyo State’s developmental goals.
“To further protect the integrity of Oyo State’s visual and infrastructural landscape, OYSAA is ramping up enforcement efforts to eliminate illegal and substandard advertising and signage structures.
“The agency will decommission all illegally erected billboards and business signages that lack proper agency approval. Furthermore, abandoned and dilapidated structures posing safety and environmental risks will be dismantled without hesitation,” he stated.
Eso-Ajanaku reaffirmed the agency’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that Oyo State no longer accommodates non-compliant and substandard advertising structures and practices.
He continued: “This is not just a regulatory exercise—it is a full-scale re-engineering of the OOH sector to attract serious investors, maintain aesthetic order, and maximise the state’s revenue potential.
“The agency calls on all practitioners and businesses to comply fully with the reforms beginning with the re-validation exercise and adhere strictly to all regulatory guidelines.
“OYSAA is fully prepared to enforce its mandate without compromise, ensuring that Oyo State’s advertising sector aligns with the highest industry standards and remains a thriving hub for responsible and innovative OOH investments.”