Benue govt issues ultimatum over unauthorised billboards

The Benue State Signage and Advertisement Agency, the Benue State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) and the Urban Development Board have observed with concern the arbitrary erection of billboards across the State by individuals, groups and political parties.

In a statement, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Solomon Iorpev, said the structures have been put up without a permit from the Signage and Advertisement Agency, without clearance from the Urban Development Board, and without payment of the prescribed fees.

Iorpev said the practice breaches the law and deprives the state of legitimate revenue, endangers public safety, and undermines the orderly development of our towns and cities.

"We are, however, prepared to assume that many of those responsible acted out of ignorance of the law and not out of deliberate defiance.

"For this reason, the Agencies are giving everyone who has erected a billboard a grace period of two weeks, beginning today, Tuesday, 6th October 2026," Iorpev said.

He urged all owners and operators of unauthorised billboards to retrace their steps and do the right thing by approaching the Benue State Signage and Advertisement Agency to begin the permit process, obtain clearance from the Urban Development Board, and pay all required fees before erecting or retaining any billboard.

He warned that there will be no further notice before enforcement, which will commence on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. He added that the enforcement teams are expected to begin removing every billboard that has not been regularised from the set date.

"Billboards taken down will be at the owners' cost, and no further notice will be given. Anyone who ignores this window should expect no sympathy and no exception, regardless of status, affiliation or political party.

"We are a law-abiding people, and we believe every Benue citizen wants to do the right thing. This grace period is a sign of the Government's goodwill and of its preference for compliance over confrontation. We urge all concerned to make use of it," he said.