Nigeria’s Advertising Regulatory Council (ARCON) has reminded political parties, candidates and media organisations that political advertisements must receive regulatory approval before publication, broadcast or online distribution, as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
The warning was reiterated by ARCON Director-General Dr Olalekan Fadolapo at the Council’s Political Advertising Forum in Lagos on 20 October 2026. He said political advertisements must be submitted for approval before they are posted, reinforcing the regulator’s focus on compliance across campaign communications.
Charles Okedigbo of the Centre for Media Law and Development also urged media organisations to reject political advertisements that have not been cleared. He pointed to the ARCON Act, the Nigerian Code of Advertising Practice, the Electoral Act and the Nigeria Broadcasting Code as part of the legal and regulatory framework governing political communication.
For broadcasters, the reminder highlights the need to check that political advertising materials have received the required approval before accepting them for transmission. ARCON’s published vetting guidance states that advertisements subject to its approval process should not be exposed until a certificate of approval has been issued, and that copies should accompany media placement orders.
The issue involves overlapping responsibilities: advertising rules govern the clearance of campaign material, while broadcasting regulations continue to apply to content carried on radio and television. Media organisations therefore need procedures that address both the status of an advertisement’s approval and the requirements relevant to its publication or transmission.
Representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Heads of Advertising Sectorial Groups also participated in the forum. Discussions included regulatory compliance and the importance of peaceful campaigning, with concerns raised about hate speech and divisive political messaging.
The latest intervention follows an earlier ARCON warning in June 2026 that unapproved political advertising could constitute an offence under Section 34(3) of the ARCON Act and that enforcement action could be pursued in collaboration with law enforcement agencies.. The October forum renewed that message directly to industry stakeholders as political communication gathers pace.
For Nigerian broadcasters and media owners, the practical priority is to establish clear checks for political advertising submissions, confirm the required approval documentation and ensure that campaign materials meet applicable rules before they go on air or online.
