Oyo State’s Signage and Advertising Agency Oversteps Legal Boundaries, Says ARCON
The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has issued a strong statement condemning the directives issued by the Oyo State Signage and Advertising Agency (OYSAA) concerning pre-exposure vetting of advertisements. In a statement dated 16th December 2025, ARCON clarified that the agency’s recent instruction is “unlawful and ultra vires the powers of a state advertising and/or signage regulatory agency.”
The directive, issued on 3rd November 2025 with reference number OYSAA/382/T1/39, mandates all practitioners, advertisers, and advertising agencies involved in Out-of-Home advertising in Oyo State to submit betting and gaming-related advertising messages, promotional materials, and public communications for mandatory pre-vetting before exposure within the state.
ARCON emphasised that advertising in Nigeria is a recognised professional occupation, established in line with item 49 of the Exclusive Legislative List in the Second Schedule of the Constitution, and also as trade and commerce under item 62 of the same legislative list. The organisation stated, “It is the singular responsibility of the National Assembly to enact laws in this regard.”
Furthermore, ARCON pointed out that the law establishing the Oyo State Signage and Advertising Agency is “alien to the Nigerian Constitution” and that such powers do not fall within the remit of a state legislative body. The statement added, “It is not within a State Advertising and/or Signage Agency’s jurisdiction to request for, receive or approve any advertisement for exposure.”
The Council warned that the agency’s actions could “set the industry back, create a bad precedent, and cause bottlenecks for advertisers and advertising agencies within the Nigerian Advertising ecosystem.” ARCON also stressed that the directives are a source of misconception and misinformation among stakeholders and the public, prompting this official clarification.
Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, Director General of ARCON, concluded by emphasising the importance of adherence to constitutional provisions and industry standards in regulating advertising practices across Nigeria.