The Cross River State Government has fixed ₦150 million as the tariff for presidential candidates seeking to mount outdoor campaign advertisements across the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The fee was announced by the Cross River State Signage and Advertisement Agency (CRISSAA) as political parties and candidates begin preparations for the next election cycle.
Under the new tariff, presidential candidates, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, will be required to pay ₦150 million for campaign billboard advertisements in the state.
The development places Cross River among states where political advertising costs have become a major issue ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to reports, the tariff applies to outdoor campaign advertising, with different charges prescribed for other categories of candidates.
While the presidential campaign billboard fee stands at ₦150 million, the tariff for governorship candidates has reportedly been fixed at ₦100 million.
The decision has already attracted criticism from opposition political parties, with some describing the charges as excessive and potentially capable of limiting political participation.
The controversy comes against the backdrop of increasing campaign-related expenses across Nigeria as political parties prepare for what is expected to be a fiercely contested 2027 election.
Campaign billboards remain one of the most visible tools used by political parties to project candidates and communicate their messages to voters.
However, the scale of the new fees means parties and candidates will have to weigh the cost of physical advertising against other campaign strategies, including digital platforms and grassroots mobilisation.
CRISSAA is responsible for regulating outdoor advertising, billboards and signage within Cross River State.
With the 2027 election season approaching, the billboard tariff is likely to remain part of the wider debate over campaign financing, political advertising and the cost of seeking public office in Nigeria.