The Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, has called for increased surveillance and enforcement of advertising regulations in the digital space.
Speaking at the All Gaming Stakeholders Conference organized by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission in Lagos on Monday, Fadolapo expressed concerns over unethical practices in the digital advertising sector.
While traditional media has seen high compliance with regulatory standards, he highlighted that digital platforms are largely unregulated, providing advertisers with the opportunity to operate with minimal oversight.
“In traditional media, the level of compliance is very high. However, in the digital space, everyone does whatever they like,” Fadolapo stated.
He also referenced a recent resolution by the National Assembly, urging ARCON to ramp up its oversight of digital advertising.
He highlighted the detrimental effects of unethical advertising, particularly in promoting fraudulent schemes, which can mislead consumers and undermine public trust.
“One of the reasons we take issues to the Advertising Offences Tribunal is to address such matters. Advertising cannot operate on ‘autopilot.’ Nowhere in the world are advertising practices left unchecked,” he said.
Fadolapo cited examples such as reality TV star Kim Kardashian’s promotion of a cryptocurrency scheme in the U.S., which resulted in significant financial losses for investors.
He explained, “For instance, in the U.S., Kardashian promoted cryptocurrency.
“People invested, lost their money, and she was fined $2 million. She was also banned from promoting any products on Instagram for three years.”
The ARCON chief emphasized that such unethical practices must not continue, as they undermine the economy and harm citizens.
“As gatekeepers of advertising, we will not allow these unethical practices to go unchecked,” he noted.
Fadolapo also revealed that ARCON has already taken action, with several organizations facing charges and fines for violating advertising standards.
His remarks are part of ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s digital advertising landscape, ensuring that online advertising remains ethical, transparent, and safe for consumers.
