Benue Govt To Political Parties: “Obtain Permit Or We Pull Down Your Billboards”

The Benue State Government has given political parties, individuals and groups a two-week ultimatum to obtain permits from the Benue State Signage and Advertisement Agency, clearance from the Urban Development Board and pay prescribed fees before erecting or retaining billboards.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev, on Tuesday, the government said enforcement would commence on 20 October 2026, without further notice.

The government said enforcement teams would begin removing billboards that had not been regularised from that date.

According to Iorpev, owners of removed billboards would bear the cost of their removal, adding that no further notice would be issued before enforcement.

The statement said the Benue State Signage and Advertisement Agency, Benue State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) and Urban Development Board had observed the erection of billboards across the state without the required permits, clearances and payment of prescribed fees.

“These 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.

“This practice breaches the law. It deprives the state of legitimate revenue, endangers public safety, and undermines the orderly development of our towns and cities,” the statement said.

Iorpev said the government was giving billboard owners a two-week grace period, beginning Tuesday, 6 October, to regularise their structures.

“For this reason, the agencies are giving everyone who has erected a billboard a grace period of two weeks, beginning today, Tuesday, 6 October 2026,” he said.

He advised owners and operators of unauthorised billboards to approach 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 any billboard was erected or retained.

He added that the government would proceed with enforcement after the grace period.