By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has warned politicians, political parties, support groups, advertising agencies and media owners against exposing unapproved political advertisements, describing the practice as a breach of the Nigerian Code of Advertising.
The warning was contained in a notice dated Monday, 31 August, 2026, signed by the council’s Director-General, Dr Olalekan Fadolapo, and shared via the official X handle of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, @FMINONigeria.
ARCON said its attention had been drawn to the activities of politicians, political parties, support groups, advertising agencies and media owners engaged in exposing unapproved adverts, some of which violated religious and ethnical guidelines and contravened the advertising code.
With political campaign activities already underway ahead of the 2027 general election, the council enjoined politicians, parties, advertisement agencies and support groups to exercise caution and ensure that all advertising and marketing communication activities align with the Nigerian Advertising Law and other extant laws.
ARCON stated that exposing advertisements on traditional or online media without prior approval of the Advertising Standards Panel constitutes an offence under Section 34(3) of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act No. 23 of 2022.
It therefore directed all political parties, elective office aspirants, campaign organisations, advertisement agencies and media owners to immediately cease and desist from exposing unapproved advertisements, as required by the Act.
Consequently, the council disclosed that it would, in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, launch a nationwide enforcement exercise to remove political advertisements exposed without prior approval, and would prosecute any person or corporate body that sponsors, causes to be exposed, exposes, or benefits from political advertising without the panel’s approval.
Fadolapo, who holds the qualifications FCA, FNIMN, FNIPR and FRPA, signed the notice on behalf of the council.
