By George Ozalla
The Senate has passed the Chartered Out-of-Home Media Practitioners of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2026, a landmark legislation aimed at regulating the practice of out-of-home media in Nigeria, promoting professionalism and providing a comprehensive legal framework for practitioners in the outdoor advertising industry.
The bill, titled A Bill for an Act to Establish the Chartered Out-of-Home Media Practitioners of Nigeria and for Related Matters, 2026 (SB. 533), was sponsored by the senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe. It scaled third reading after the Senate considered and adopted the report of the Joint Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters; Information and National Orientation; and Media and Public Affairs.
Presenting the committee’s report, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, said the joint committee carried out extensive legislative work on the bill, including engagements with relevant stakeholders in the out-of-home media industry.
He further stated that the committee found the proposed legislation timely and necessary in view of the rapid growth of the industry and the need for a statutory body to regulate its operations, maintain professional standards and promote ethical conduct among practitioners.
Fasuyi added that the bill would strengthen the industry through proper regulation, improve service delivery and align the practice of out-of-home media with global standards. He urged the Senate to approve the bill in the interest of the profession and national development.
Following the presentation of the report, the Senate resolved into the Committee of the Whole, where the bill was considered clause by clause before it was read for the third time and passed.
President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, commended lawmakers for supporting the legislation, saying it would restore professionalism and bring sanity to the out-of-home media industry.
According to him, the establishment of a professional regulatory body would ensure that only qualified practitioners operate within the sector while promoting discipline, accountability and ethical standards.
Akpabio also commended the sponsor of the bill, the joint committees and all senators who contributed to its successful passage, expressing confidence that the legislation would strengthen the media and advertising industry and enhance public confidence in the profession.
The bill seeks to establish the Chartered Out-of-Home Media Practitioners of Nigeria as the body responsible for regulating the profession. It empowers the council to determine the standards of knowledge and skills required for admission into the profession, register and license practitioners, maintain a register of qualified members and enforce a code of professional ethics.
It also provides for the accreditation of training institutions, promotion of continuing professional development, investigation and discipline of erring practitioners, promotion of research and innovation, and the adoption of international best practices in the planning, design, installation and maintenance of outdoor advertising structures.
In addition, the proposed law is expected to improve public safety by ensuring compliance with approved standards in the erection and maintenance of outdoor advertising structures, enhance professionalism within the industry and provide a clear legal and institutional framework for the sustainable development of out-of-home media practice in Nigeria.
The bill originated as a private member’s bill sponsored by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe during the 10th Senate. It passed first and second readings before it was referred to the Joint Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters; Information and National Orientation; and Media and Public Affairs for detailed legislative scrutiny. Following stakeholder consultations and the committee’s recommendations, the Senate approved the bill. It will now be transmitted to the House of Representatives for concurrence before being forwarded to the President for assent.
