Tribunal expected to strengthen compliance, professionalism and integrity in Nigeria’s advertising industry.
The Federal Government has inaugurated a new Advertising Offences Tribunal, tasking its members with upholding fairness, professionalism and integrity in the regulation of Nigeria’s advertising and marketing communications industry.
The inauguration, held in Abuja on Tuesday, brings together a panel chaired by Honourable Justice Cecilia M. A. Olatoregun, alongside Dr Ken Onyeali-Ikpe, Musa Ahmed Attah (SAN), Merga Tyowanan Kachina Esq., Hajia Sa’a Ibrahim and other members.
The development is expected to provide a stronger institutional framework for addressing offences and breaches within the advertising industry, while reinforcing compliance with Nigeria’s advertising laws, regulations and professional codes.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the inauguration as an important step towards building an advertising industry that combines creativity with accountability and public trust.
“Let us build an advertising industry that commands creativity, earns trust, and upholds responsibility,” Idris said.
Tribunal gets legal backing
The minister explained that the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) Act No. 23 of 2022 significantly expanded the regulatory powers of the council and provided for the establishment of the Advertising Offences Tribunal.
According to him, the tribunal is empowered to adjudicate offences arising under the Act as well as relevant advertising regulations and codes.
Idris urged the newly inaugurated members to approach their responsibilities with independence and impartiality, stressing the importance of ensuring that parties appearing before the tribunal receive fair consideration.
“Every matter that comes before you should be considered on its merits, without fear or favour, affection or ill will. The Tribunal must be, and must be seen to be, a fair and impartial institution,” he said.
He congratulated Justice Olatoregun and the other members of the panel, assuring them of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation’s continued support for ARCON and efforts aimed at developing a globally competitive advertising industry.
ARCON hails new development
Earlier, the Director-General of ARCON, Dr Olalekan Olumuyiwa Fadolapo, described the inauguration as a major milestone in strengthening regulation and compliance within the sector.
Fadolapo said the establishment of the tribunal demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to developing a comprehensive regulatory structure for the advertising industry.
“The Advertising Offences Tribunal is a big opportunity for the Nigerian advertising industry. It is the first of its kind in the world because Nigeria has taken a proactive step not only to legislate on advertising, but also to put structures and frameworks in place,” he said.
He said the tribunal would provide an additional mechanism for ensuring that stakeholders operate within the framework established by the country’s advertising laws and regulations.
The development comes amid broader efforts by ARCON to strengthen oversight of Nigeria’s advertising and marketing communications ecosystem and ensure greater adherence to professional and regulatory standards.
Olatoregun pledges impartiality
Justice Olatoregun, who chairs the tribunal, pledged that the panel would approach its mandate with seriousness and uphold the principles expected of an institution responsible for adjudicating regulatory offences.
“It is a great honour to be called upon to serve our country, and we take this responsibility very seriously. You have asked us to work with integrity, and that is what we are going to do,” she said.
Her pledge reflects the emphasis placed by the Federal Government and ARCON on ensuring that the new tribunal operates with credibility and public confidence.
The inauguration was attended by senior government officials and other stakeholders, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr Binyerem Ukaire; Director, Public Communication and National Orientation, Henshaw Ogubike; Director, Public Relations and Protocol, Suleiman Haruna, PhD; and Special Assistant (Admin) to the Minister, Dr Sunday Baba.
The inauguration marks another step in the implementation of the ARCON Act 2022, with the tribunal expected to play a central role in strengthening enforcement, encouraging responsible advertising practices and promoting greater professionalism across Nigeria’s marketing communications industry.