Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room Critiques High Billboard Fees

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room expressed serious concerns regarding the exorbitant fees for political campaign billboards in several states, which could limit the visibility of opposition parties and undermine fair competition in the upcoming 2027 general elections. The organization reported that presidential billboard permit fees reached N200 million in Abia State, N150 million in Enugu, Kogi, and Cross River, N75 million in Rivers, and N50 million in Anambra.

In Benue State, the fee was noted to be N40 million. These charges are significantly higher than typical billboard rental rates, which range from approximately N200,000 to N15 million monthly.

The Situation Room, in a statement signed by Convener Yunusa Z. Yau and Co-Convener Mma Odi in Abuja, emphasized that such high fees could create barriers for candidates lacking substantial financial resources. Additionally, the organization raised concerns about reports of opposition parties being denied access to prime billboard locations and the destruction or restriction of their campaign advertisements.