In a move to take firmer control of Nigeria’s advertising sector, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has announced that influencers, content creators, and digital advertisers must now seek formal approval before posting any advert on their platforms.
The notice, signed by ARCON’s Director-General, Olalekan Fadolapo, comes amid growing concern over fraudulent promotions on social media—the recent collapse of the CBEX Ponzi scheme is a stark reminder.
“These kinds of disasters highlight why advertising content needs to be vetted for truthfulness, clarity, and ethical standards before the public ever sees it,” said Fadolapo. ARCON has made it clear: whether you’re promoting content on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, or traditional media, your advertisement must meet the council’s regulatory benchmarks. Any attempt to distort facts, conceal crucial details, or exploit vulnerable audiences will lead to serious consequences.
Observing the rapid expansion of digital marketing, ARCON is proactively extending its regulatory arms to social media. The Advertising Offences Tribunal can investigate and try anyone who bypasses the approval mechanism.
To increase enforcement, ARCON also unveiled a dedicated compliance task force to track advertisements across all digital, broadcast, and print media and flag violators. “The public has a role to play here, too,” the council appealed, urging citizens to report suspicious or misleading advertisements they encounter.
ARCON’s right to regulate across media was recently upheld by a Federal High Court judgment in Lagos, which affirmed the council’s right to regulate advertising in the country irrespective of the medium.
