By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
The Federal Government has inaugurated the newly constituted Advertising Offences Tribunal, charging its members to uphold integrity, independence and fairness in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who inaugurated the Tribunal on Tuesday in Abuja, said its establishment marked another significant step towards strengthening Nigeria’s regulatory framework for the advertising and marketing communications industry.
Speaking at the inauguration held at Radio House, Abuja, Idris said the Federal Government recognised advertising as more than the promotion of goods and services, describing it as a powerful instrument of communication with significant implications for economic growth, employment, innovation and investment.
He noted that Nigeria had one of Africa’s largest and most dynamic advertising and marketing communications ecosystems, stressing that the sector had enormous potential to contribute to national development.
According to him, the enactment of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) Act No. 23 of 2022 represented a major milestone in strengthening the industry’s regulatory framework.
The Minister explained that the Act repealed the former Advertising Practitioners (Registration, Etc.) Act and established ARCON as the successor to the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, while also expanding its mandate and powers.
He said the law empowered ARCON to prosecute offences established under the Act, relevant regulations and codes, adding that the Advertising Offences Tribunal was established within this broader regulatory framework.
Idris stated that Section 37(1) of the ARCON Act provides for the establishment of the Tribunal to adjudicate offences created under the Act, the Code of Advertising Practice, Standards of Practice, proclamations and other relevant enactments made pursuant to the law.
He said the Tribunal would ensure that regulations governing the advertising industry were not merely written on paper but effectively enforced whenever violations occurred.
The Minister added that the specialised tribunal would help protect consumers, promote fair competition, strengthen professional standards and restore public confidence in the advertising and marketing communications industry.
The inauguration followed the expiration of the three-year tenure of the first panel of the Advertising Offences Tribunal in May 2026, after which a new panel was nominated and appointed in accordance with the law.
Idris expressed confidence in the competence of the new members, noting that they possessed considerable experience across the judiciary, legal practice, advertising, broadcasting and marketing communications.
The Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Cecilia M. A. Olatoregun, a Judge Emeritus of the Federal High Court, has over four decades of post-call experience and previously served as the Tribunal’s inaugural Chairman.
Other members are Musa Ahmed Attah, SAN; Merga Tyowanan Kachina, Esq.; Dr. Ken Onyeali Ikpe, FRPA; and Hajia Sa’a Ibrahim, RPA.
The Minister said the members brought distinguished professional backgrounds spanning law, arbitration, advertising, marketing communications, broadcasting and public service.
He urged the panel to discharge its duties with the highest standards of 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,” Idris said, stressing that the Tribunal must be and must be seen to be a fair and impartial institution.
He further charged the members to regard their appointments as a call to service rather than merely an honour, noting that while their professional experience had brought them to the position, their integrity would ultimately define their tenure.
Idris assured that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, would continue to support ARCON and other legitimate efforts aimed at building a more professional, responsible and globally competitive advertising industry.
He congratulated the Chairman and members of the Tribunal and called for collective efforts to build an advertising industry that promotes creativity, earns public trust and upholds responsibility.
