The Federal Government has inaugurated the newly constituted Advertising Offences Tribunal as part of efforts to strengthen regulation, promote professionalism and improve compliance in Nigeria’s advertising and marketing communications industry.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this on Tuesday at the inauguration of the Tribunal in Abuja, describing the development as an important step towards building a more professional, responsible and trusted advertising industry.
Idris urged members of the Tribunal to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, independence and fairness, stressing that their decisions would be critical to strengthening public confidence in the regulation of the industry.
“Let us build an advertising industry that commands creativity, earns trust, and upholds responsibility,” the Minister said.
He explained that the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) Act No. 23 of 2022 expanded the Council’s regulatory powers and provided for the establishment of the Tribunal to adjudicate offences under the Act and relevant advertising regulations and codes.
Idris urged the panel, led by Honourable Justice Cecilia M. A. Olatoregun, to ensure that every matter brought before it was determined on its merits without fear or favour.
“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.
The Minister congratulated the Chairman and members of the Tribunal and assured them of the Ministry’s continued support for ARCON and efforts to develop a globally competitive advertising industry.
Earlier, the Director-General of ARCON, Dr. Olalekan Olumuyiwa Fadolapo, described the inauguration as a major development in strengthening regulation and compliance within 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,” Fadolapo said.
He said the establishment of the Tribunal would provide an institutional framework for addressing offences and reinforcing compliance with the laws and regulations governing the industry.
The Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Cecilia M. A. Olatoregun, pledged that the panel would discharge its responsibilities with integrity, fairness and professionalism.
“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.
Other members of the Tribunal are Musa Ahmed Attah, SAN; Merga Tyowanan Kachina, Esq.; Dr. Ken Onyeali Ikpe, FRPA; and Hajia Sa’a Ibrahim, RPA.
The inauguration was attended by the Permanent Secretary, 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; Special Assistant (Admin) to the Minister, Dr. Sunday Baba, among other dignitaries.