The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has called for tighter surveillance and stricter enforcement of advertising regulations in the digital sphere, citing an increasing prevalence of unethical practices.
Speaking at the All Gaming Stakeholders Conference organized by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission in Lagos, ARCON’s Director-General, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, highlighted the need for stronger oversight of digital advertising. While he praised the high level of compliance within traditional media, Fadolapo raised concerns over the relatively unchecked nature of digital platforms, which he said enables advertisers to act with minimal restraint.
“In traditional media, compliance is very high. However, in the digital space, everyone does whatever they like,” he stated.
Dr. Fadolapo’s remarks also referenced a recent resolution by the National Assembly, urging ARCON to ramp up its monitoring efforts across digital platforms. Emphasizing the negative impact of unethical digital advertising, particularly its role in promoting fraudulent schemes, Fadolapo underscored ARCON’s dedication to taking a hard stance against offenders.
“One of the reasons we take matters to the Advertising Offences Tribunal is to address these issues. Advertising cannot operate on ‘autopilot.’ Nowhere in the world are advertising practices left unchecked,” he remarked.
To illustrate his point, Fadolapo referenced an international example: Kim Kardashian’s promotion of a cryptocurrency scheme in the United States, which led to investor losses and a $2 million fine, along with a temporary ban on her product promotions on Instagram. “Such practices cannot continue. They harm citizens and weaken the economy,” he said firmly, adding that ARCON will uphold its role as a gatekeeper to prevent similar incidents in Nigeria.
He also disclosed that ARCON has already penalized several organizations for violations, as part of a broader effort to reform Nigeria’s digital advertising landscape. Dr. Fadolapo emphasized that as the digital advertising industry continues to grow, stronger regulations will be essential to maintain public trust and safeguard consumers from fraudulent activities.