Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, on Tuesday inaugurated a newly constituted Advertising Offences Tribunal (AOT) at Radio House, Abuja, describing the event as another significant step in strengthening the regulatory framework governing Nigeria’s advertising and marketing communications industry.

The Tribunal is the specialised body empowered to adjudicate offences arising from the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act. Speaking at the inauguration, Idris argued that advertising has long outgrown its old definition as a tool for selling products.

“The Federal Government recognizes that advertising is far more than the promotion of products and services. It is a powerful instrument of communication,” he said.

The Tribunal draws its authority from the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act No. 23 of 2022, which established ARCON as successor to the former Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria and widened its powers to include prosecuting offences under the Act. Section 37 of the Act specifically establishes the Tribunal to adjudicate offences arising from the Act, the Code of Advertising Practice and other related enactments.

“It will help ensure that the rules governing advertising are not merely written on paper but can be meaningfully applied when violations occur,” minister said.

The new panel is not Nigeria’s first attempt at this. The Tribunal’s original panel, also chaired by Honourable Justice Cecilia M. A. Olatoregun, was constituted in 2023, with its three year tenure expiring in May 2026. Olatoregun, a Judge Emeritus of the Federal High Court with over four decades of post call experience, returns to lead the new panel, alongside Musa Ahmed Attah, SAN, Merga Tyowanan Kachina, Esq, Dr Ken Onyeali Ikpe, FRPA, and Hajia Sa’a Ibrahim, RPA.

The minister described the lineup as bringing together considerable experience across the judiciary, legal practice, advertising, broadcasting and marketing communications.

The Minister was direct about the standard he expects the Tribunal to uphold.

“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,” he said, adding that the members’ experience brought them to this point, but that their integrity would define their tenure.

Speaking earlier at the same event, Dr Olalekan Olumuyiwa Fadolapo, Director General of ARCON, placed the development in a global context.

“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.

Idris pledged continued government support for ARCON’s work, “Let us build an advertising industry that commands creativity, earns trust, and upholds responsibility,” he said.