The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has expressed grave concerns over the surge of fraudulent, AI-generated advertisements circulating on digital platforms. During a press briefing held at the agency’s Lagos headquarters, Dr Olalekan Fadolapo, ARCON’s director-general, issued a strong warning to marketers, content creators, and social media influencers. He criticised the current state of Nigeria’s online advertising landscape as “porous” and vowed to pursue legal action against offenders.
Dr Fadolapo emphasised the ease with which unscrupulous individuals leverage artificial intelligence to create convincing yet entirely false advertisements. He remarked that the prevalence of deceptive ads poses significant risks to public health by misleading vulnerable consumers into purchasing untested or harmful products. These hazardous campaigns often promise unrealistic benefits, such as “miraculous cures” or “guaranteed returns,” without credible backing.
One particularly alarming case involved an advertisement for an herbal remedy that claimed to cure over 200 diseases, including serious ailments like HIV and cancer. “Imagine an advert claiming that a single herbal drug could cure HIV, cancer, and more than 200 other diseases,” Dr. Fadolapo stated. This misinformation threatens individual health and erodes public trust in legitimate businesses that adhere to advertising standards.
According to the director-general, the regulatory vacuum surrounding online advertising has made it easier for bad actors to exploit anonymity on social media. Unlike traditional media, where advertisements undergo thorough editorial and legal scrutiny, online platforms allow for the swift creation and dissemination of content with minimal oversight. The rapid pace at which AI tools can generate ads complicates regulators’ identification of perpetrators.
Dr. Fadolapo cited the CBEX case as a stark illustration of the consequences of unregulated digital environments. This scheme reportedly deceived many Nigerians out of nearly $2 trillion through misleading social media promotions featuring AI-generated testimonials and falsified claims. ARCON’s proactive approach aims to protect consumers and restore integrity in Nigeria’s advertising ecosystem.
