The Benue State Government has given operators of unauthorised billboards across the state a two-week ultimatum to obtain the necessary permits and pay prescribed fees or face removal.
The government said the directive followed concerns over the arbitrary erection of billboards by individuals, groups and political parties without approval from relevant authorities.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday, by the Benue State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev, on behalf of the Benue State Signage and .
Agency, Benue State Internal Revenue Service and Urban Development Board.
According to the statement, many of the billboards were erected without permits from the Signage and . Agency, clearance from the Urban Development Board or payment of prescribed fees.
It said the practice violated the law, deprived the state of legitimate revenue, endangered public safety and undermined the orderly development of towns and cities.
The agencies, however, said they were prepared to assume that many of those responsible acted out of ignorance rather than deliberate defiance, hence the two-week grace period beginning Tuesday.
The government directed owners and operators of unauthorised billboards to approach the Signage and . Agency to begin the permit process, obtain clearance from the Urban Development Board and
pay all required fees.
It warned that enforcement would commence on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, without further notice, with enforcement teams expected to remove all billboards that had not been regularised.
“Billboards taken down will be at the owners’ cost, and no further notice will be given,” the statement said.
The government also said the enforcement would apply regardless of the status, affiliation or political party of the owners, urging all affected persons to use the grace period to comply with the regulations.