The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has warned that bloggers, skit makers and other digital influencers who fail to comply with the Nigerian Code of Advertising Practice will face prosecution.
According to ARCON, all advertising stakeholders in the digital/online media space are advised to obtain pre-exposure approval of all advertisements, advertising and marketing communications in accordance with the Nigerian Code of Advertising Practice and the ARCON Act No. 23 of 2022.
The regulatory body explained that it has received complaints on the advertisements, advertising, and marketing communications activities of skit makers, comedians, influencers, content creators/producers, bloggers, vloggers, and others on digital/online media platforms.
In a statement signed by the Director General of the council, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, today, the council noted that most of the advertisements exposed by this group are unethical with unverified claims and misinformation, and also in violation of the Nigerian Code of Advertising Practice.
“By this public notice, brand owners, digital agencies, secondary digital media space owners (i.e. bloggers, vloggers, influencers, comedians, skit makers, etc) and other advertising stakeholders in the digital/online media space are advised to obtain pre-exposure approval of all advertisements, advertising and marketing communications in accordance with the Nigerian Code of Advertising Practice and the ARCON Act No. 23 of 2022”, the statement partly read.
It further added that ARCON will take all necessary actions including sanctions and prosecution of violators of the provisions of the Act to ensure compliance.
