- The Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ENSSAA) has introduced a mandatory ₦150 million advertising permit fee for political parties and candidates
- The fee applies to participants in the 2026 local government and 2027 general elections in Enugu State
- General Manager Francis Aninwike said the directive aligns with the agency’s mandate to regulate outdoor advertising and maintain environmental aesthetics
The Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ENSSAA) has introduced a compulsory ₦150 million advertising permit fee for political parties and candidates contesting the 2026 local government elections and the 2027 general elections in the state.
The announcement was made on Monday, February 23, by the agency’s General Manager, Mr. Francis Aninwike, during a management meeting at ENSSAA’s headquarters in Enugu. The development was contained in a statement released by the media office of Governor Peter Mbah.
According to Aninwike, the directive aligns with the agency’s statutory responsibility to regulate outdoor advertising and maintain environmental aesthetics across the 17 local government areas of the state.
He explained that payment of the ₦150 million fee would authorise political parties and candidates to display and distribute campaign materials such as banners, branded vehicles, T-shirts, handbills, and also organise street campaigns and rallies.
The statement read in part, “Every political party and candidate must obtain a campaign permit from ENSSAA before deploying any form of visual campaign or outdoor promotional materials. The statutory fee for the permit is ₦150m, payable to the Enugu State Government account.”
Aninwike said the policy was introduced to curb visual pollution, safeguard public infrastructure, and uphold professional standards during the electioneering season.
He further warned that non-compliance would attract strict consequences, including the removal of unauthorised campaign materials and possible legal action against offenders.
The ENSSAA chief also stressed that only advertising practitioners registered and licensed by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) are permitted to handle billboards and campaign structures within the state.
“No individual, political party, or support group is permitted to erect billboards or advertisement structures in any part of Enugu State without going through licensed ARCON practitioners as permitted by ENSSAA,” he stated.
Responding to concerns about potential bias, Aninwike maintained that the regulations would be enforced equally across board, including for incumbents.
He added that Governor Peter Mbah has consistently adhered to the state’s advertising laws in both his previous engagements and current official activities.
The agency also warned political supporters against vandalising or defacing opponents’ campaign materials, describing such actions as undemocratic and punishable under existing laws.