The new Advertising Offences Tribunal is expected to strengthen enforcement, protect consumers and promote professionalism across Nigeria’s advertising and marketing communications sector.
The federal government has inaugurated a constituted Advertising Offences Tribunal to strengthen regulation, promote professionalism and improve integrity in Nigeria’s advertising and marketing communications industry.
Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris inaugurated the panel on Tuesday, saying the tribunal would provide a specialised mechanism for handling offences under the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act, relevant regulations and advertising codes.
The development follows the expiration of the first panel’s three-year tenure in May 2026. The new five-member panel is chaired by Cecilia Olatoregun, a judge emeritus of the Federal High Court who served as the tribunal’s inaugural chairman. Other members are Musa Ahmed Attah, Merga Tyowanan Kachina, Ken Onyeali Ikpe and Hajia Sa’a Ibrahim.
Tribunal gets wider regulatory role
Idris said advertising was more than the promotion of products and services, describing it as a powerful instrument of communication.
“Nigeria has one of Africa’s largest and most dynamic advertising and marketing communications ecosystems, with enormous potential to contribute to economic growth, employment, innovation, and investment,” he said.
He said the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act No. 23 of 2022 was a major regulatory milestone. The law replaced the former Advertising Practitioners (Registration, Etc.) Act and established ARCON as the successor to the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria.
The law also expanded ARCON’s mandate and powers, including authority to prosecute offences under the Act, regulations and codes.
Idris said the tribunal was established under Section 37(1) of the ARCON Act to adjudicate offences created under the law, the code of advertising practice, standards of practice, proclamations and other relevant enactments.
Tribunal expected to strengthen industry standards
According to Idris, the tribunal will help ensure that advertising rules are effectively enforced while protecting consumers, promoting fair competition, strengthening professional standards and maintaining public confidence.
He said the body would address offences efficiently, fairly and without unnecessary delay.
Idris said the new members had extensive experience in the judiciary, legal practice, advertising, broadcasting and marketing communications, giving them the experience required for their responsibilities.
He urged the panel to discharge its duties with integrity, independence, fairness and professionalism.
“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,” Idris said.
The minister said the Federal Government would continue to support ARCON’s efforts to build a professional and responsible advertising industry.
Tribunal panel led by Cecilia Olatoregun
Olatoregun, who has more than four decades of post-call experience, served as the tribunal’s inaugural chairman. Her reappointment places an experienced judicial figure at the head of the newly constituted panel.
The other members are Musa Ahmed Attah, Merga Tyowanan Kachina, Ken Onyeali Ikpe and Hajia Sa’a Ibrahim. The minister said their combined experience would support the tribunal’s mandate and help ensure that disputes and offences within the sector are handled with fairness and professionalism.
The inauguration comes as ARCON continues to strengthen enforcement of advertising rules across Nigeria’s marketing communications industry.
In June, a Federal High Court in Lagos nullified ARCON’s N60 billion sanction against Facebook Nigeria Operations Limited over alleged unapproved advertisements. The court held that ARCON acted outside its statutory powers and violated the company’s right to fair hearing. ARCON’s establishment of a specialised tribunal provides a formal legal mechanism for adjudicating offences under the 2022 Act and relevant codes.
The new panel is expected to begin its three-year tenure with a mandate to ensure that enforcement is consistent, transparent and fair, while supporting a more accountable advertising industry.
