By Onilede Titi Faith
Abuja’s outdoor advertising industry is facing fresh uncertainty after the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), through its Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage (DOAS), issued a “Stop Work” order on all ongoing billboard installations flagged as illegal or misaligned under the city’s Development Control manual.
The directive, which applies to new installations, follows a DOAS-led review and realignment exercise aimed at ensuring compliance with structural and spatial standards.
Only projects that meet the FCTA’s technical specifications will be allowed to proceed.
While some industry stakeholders acknowledge the importance of regulation, they warn that the blanket nature of the order could severely disrupt a multi-billion-naira sector, threatening as many as 5,000 direct and indirect jobs.
One Lagos-based advertising firm likened the move to past crackdowns that led to significant financial losses and, in some cases, personal harm when billboards were dismantled without notice.
President of the Out of Home Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), urged DOAS to enforce the rules with fairness, distinguishing between compliant and non-compliant operators.
He also called on practitioners to ensure full regulatory compliance, stressing that legitimate businesses must be protected from undue disruption.
