Kwara task force dismantles illegal billboards
Following the state government’s revocation of the 2024 billboard permits and the statutory seven-day ultimatum for owners to voluntarily remove the billboards, the Kwara State Taskforce Committee on Illegal Billboards and Signages has fully commenced enforcement of the removal of unauthorised billboards and signages across major locations in the Ilorin metropolis.
PUNCH Metro recalls that the Kwara State Government had on March 16 2025 announced the revocation of the 2024 signage and billboard licences across the state and warned against illegal billboards in the state adding that the removal enforcement would commence, beginning from this week.
The state Commissioner for Communication, Bolanle Olukoju, who doubles as the Chairman, Kwara State Taskforce Committee on Illegal Billboards and Signages, said the revocation followed an earlier notification on the suspension of all billboard licences in the state.
She explained that the revocation was necessary to facilitate the removal of all unauthorised and improperly erected billboards, posters and light pole banners across the Ilorin metropolis and other urban centres.
According to the commissioner, “The initiative aligns with the Urban Renewal Programme of the Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration, aimed at transforming Kwara into a modern and visually appealing state.
“No new registrations or renewals of signages and billboard licences will be processed until further notice,” it said.
“This temporary measure will allow the state to finalise a new regulatory framework for outdoor advertising”, the statement further added.
It thereafter reiterated further that identifications of billboards were already ongoing, and called on owners of unidentified boards across the entire state to remove them with immediate effect, saying the task force was identifying non-compliant structures. He promised that enforcement would begin next week.
However, the Press Secretary, Ministry of Communication, Abeeb Oredunni, noted in a statement on Thursday, “In line with the current administration’s Urban Renewal Programme, which aims to maintain a clean, orderly, and visually appealing environment across the state, the committee swung into action today, removing all illegal structures at key areas including Unity Road, Post Office, Maraba, Fate Roundabout, Tanke Junction, Flower Garden, Oja Oba, Surulere, Airport Road and Offa Garage respectively.”
Olukoju in her remarks, expressed appreciation to Kwarans for the impressive compliance level, noting that most billboard owners had voluntarily removed the structures before the arrival of the enforcement team.
She further reiterated that due to the ongoing clean-up, all billboard practitioners and owners had been directed to suspend changing banners or signages on their structures until further notice.
