FG INAUGURATES ADVERTISING OFFENCES TRIBUNAL, MOVES TO CRACK DOWN ON INDUSTRY VIOLATIONS 
Information Minister demands integrity, fairness as ARCON tribunal begins work
The Federal Government has inaugurated the newly constituted Advertising Offences Tribunal, signalling a major push to strengthen regulation, improve compliance and promote greater professionalism in Nigeria’s advertising and marketing communications industry.
The inauguration took place on Tuesday in Abuja, with the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, urging members of the tribunal to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, independence and fairness.
Idris described the tribunal as an important step towards building an advertising industry that is not only creative, but also responsible and trusted by the public.
“Let us build an advertising industry that commands creativity, earns trust, and upholds responsibility,” the minister said.
According to him, 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 arising under the Act, as well as relevant advertising regulations and codes.
The minister charged the panel, headed by Justice Cecilia M. A. Olatoregun, to ensure that cases before it are determined strictly on their merits.
“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.
He congratulated the chairman and members of the tribunal, assuring them of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation’s continued support for ARCON and efforts to position Nigeria’s advertising industry for global competitiveness.
ARCON: Tribunal a major regulatory milestone
Earlier, the Director-General of ARCON, Dr Olalekan Olumuyiwa Fadolapo, described the inauguration as a major development in the regulation and enforcement of standards in the Nigerian advertising industry.
Fadolapo said the tribunal provides the industry with a formal mechanism for addressing offences and improving compliance with advertising laws and regulations.
“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,” he said.
The chairman of the tribunal, Justice Olatoregun, pledged that the panel would approach its mandate with professionalism, fairness and integrity.
“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.
Members of the newly inaugurated 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, Federal 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 (Administration) to the Minister, Dr Sunday Baba, among other dignitaries.
The inauguration comes as Nigeria continues to strengthen institutional mechanisms for regulating advertising content, protecting the public and raising professional standards across the industry.
