…..Explains Importance Of Advertising Offences Tribunal
In a bid to further reiterate its commitment to the enforcement of advertising law, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) in collaboration with Lawyers in the Media (LIM) organised a town hall meeting to enlighten practitioner on the role of Advertising Offences Tribunal (AOT) in the advertising ecosystem.
The town hall meeting with the theme: ‘The Nigeria Advertising Law: The Role of the AOT’ held on Tuesday in Lagos had lawyers, advertising practitioners, industry stakeholders, deliberated on the dynamics of Nigeria’s advertising law and its implementation under the Advertising Offences Tribunal.
Speaking at the event, the keynote speaker, Mr Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN emphasized the importance of the Advertising Offences Tribunal to the advertising ecosystem, adding that the AOT is not just a legal reform but a statement of national intent.
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He added that it signals that Nigeria will not leave her people at the mercy of deceptive adverts, unregulated influencers, or exploitative practices.
“The AOT plays a vital role in our advertising ecosystem. It protects consumers, deters misconduct, regulates digital spaces, preserves industry integrity and demonstrates constitutional innovation.”
Barrister Kehinde represented by Leke Kehinde, also a Lawyer, added that it is a global first, but more importantly, it is a Nigerian challenge “and if we enforce fairly, educate widely, partner strategically, and innovative constantly, Nigeria will not only be the first country with such a Tribunal but also the first to prove that law and innovation can work hand in hand, that regulation can protect without suffocating and advertising thrive without deception.”
He explained further that AOT is young, it will be tested, it will face resistance, scrutiny and growing pains “but like every institution in a democracy, its success depends on how lawyers, judges, policy makers, practitioners and citizens, nurture it.
“Therefore let us rise to the challenge, let us make advertising a force not of manipulation, but of trust, not of exploitation but of empowerment. Let us ensure that AOT fulfills its promise as an instrument of consumer protection, market integrity and national progress,” he explained
Chairman of AOT, Hon. Justice Cecilia Olatoregun said that the Tribunal represents not just a due diligence but a systemic revolution embedding truth and accountable.
She added that so far 266 cases have been filed, 201 is disposed and only 65 cases are pending.
Stating the importance of AOT, Hon. Olatoregun said it is not just to regulate advertising but to open a striving high stake niche in the Nigeria media practice.
“At this point I call on all relevant stakeholders and of course lawyers in the media space to grow with the tribunal, grow the tribunal within our judicial landscape,” she explained.
ARCON DG, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo in his remarks said that the collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is a clear demonstration of ARCON’s commitment to strengthening the regulatory ecosystem through strategic stakeholder engagement and legal alignment.
According to him, “Our engagement with stakeholders is not episodic but a deliberate, continuous exercise grounded in our vision to build a responsible and globally competitive advertising industry in Nigeria.
“This Town-Hall Meeting is part of our broader effort to institutionalize dialogue, transparency, and compliance across the entire advertising value chain,” he said.
We are creating a regulatory environment that balances creativity with compliance. The Tribunal remains a crucial instrument for ensuring accountability, deterrence, and fairness.
As we continue to strengthen our institutional frameworks, we remain focused on promoting professionalism, protecting consumer rights, and upholding the integrity of the advertising profession.”
Also speaking at the event, President, NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe represented by the 2nd Vice-President, Mrs. Bolatumi Animashaun, commended the lawyers in the media for organizing the programme.
She said as lawyers, they are expected to uphold the rule of law, help their colleagues in the media who are not lawyers to keep the use of code of conduct in their practice to avoid violation.
“The tribunal is empowered to entertain all not some violations of the provisions of the ARCON Act and I am sure that the outcome of this meeting will help practitioners to be more enlightened and will be more comfortable in the practice of their profession.
Chairman, Heads of Advertising Sectoral Groups (HASG), Mr. Lanre Adisa disclosed that sectorial bodies have always been in conversation with ARCON on how to overcome challenges more especially on working together on how to employ technology and run the advertising ecosystem effectively.
He advised on self-regulation among practitioners which he said will go a long way to reduce violations among practitioners.
Barrister Charles Odenigbo, DG, Centre for Media Law and Development expressed concern over non-compliance by practitioners, stating that even with power vested on ARCON through AOT.
“There is no argument whether the coming of AOT will amount to over regulation or under regulation, we are still very much under regulated and I think that practitioners should keep to the rules guiding advertising to help have an excellent advertising ecosystem.
BV.
