The Regulatory Council is set to sanction the platform owners, advertisers, and agencies responsible for exposing an unapproved and offensive advertisement that was not vetted by the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP).

ARCON Condemns Offensive and Unapproved Material

In a statement signed by Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, Director General of ARCON, the Council confirmed that the Bokku Supermarket advertisement unlawfully instigates ethnic and sectional prejudices while denigrating a section of the Nigerian tribe.

Dr. Fadolapo stated that such offensive content directly opposes the Federal Government’s policy of national unity and peaceful coexistence.

He noted, “The attention of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has been drawn to the exposure of unapproved and offensive Bokku Supermarket advertisements. Further more, he added that  it unlawfully instigate ethnic and sectional prejudices, denigrating a section of the Nigerian tribe and bringing them into public contempt and ridicule.

This is against the Federal Government’s policy of national unity and peaceful co-existence.”

Bokku’s Advertisements Violate Advertising Standards

Dr. Fadolapo further explained that several other advertisements from Bokku Supermarket currently circulating on social media were neither submitted nor vetted by the Advertising Standards Panel in accordance with Nigerian advertising laws.

Again, he emphasised that ARCON remains committed to ensuring that all advertisements exposed to the Nigerian public comply with laid-down ethical and regulatory standards.

Legal Action and Enforcement Measures

Moreso, to strengthen compliance, ARCON has activated a special monitoring and enforcement task force to track all unapproved advertisements exposed across media platforms within the Nigerian market.

However, the Council also reaffirmed its readiness to take necessary legal steps against individuals or organizations that violate advertising laws by releasing unapproved materials.

Public Support and Industry Responsibility

So, while appreciating Nigerians who reported the offensive advertisement, ARCON urged the public to continue supporting its regulatory efforts by reporting unethical, deceptive, illegal, or misleading advertisements.

The Council stated, “We appreciate all patriotic Nigerians who report or notify ARCON of gross violations of advertising ethics.

Therefore, we urge the public to continue supporting ARCON’s initiatives by reporting any advertisement that appears unethical, deceptive, illegal, or carries unrealistic claims.”

Commitment to Ethical Advertising Practice

In the same manner, while reiterating its role as the industry’s gatekeeper, ARCON assured stakeholders of its continuous effort to create a more decent and consumer-protective advertising environment.

“As gatekeepers, we will continue to work towards building a more decent and consumer-protective advertising environment in Nigeria.

All stakeholders and the advertising community are encouraged to recommit to the principles of truthful, legal, decent, and responsible advertising,” the Council noted.