Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria ARCON has cautioned State Signage Agencies to desist from directives capable of usurping the oversight responsibility of federal government, as well as create bottlenecks.
ARCON Director-General, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo in a statement described the letters, directives and publications by some States Signage and Advertising Agencies, particularly Ondo and Enugu requesting all practitioners, advertisers and advertising agencies to submit some categories of advertisement including political, lottery and brand advertisements before exposure as unlawful.
Dr Fadolapo noted ARCON in Nigeria is established as a professional occupation in line with item 49 of the Exclusive Legislative List in the Second Schedule of the Constitution and also as Trade and Commerce, in line with item 62 of the Exclusive Legislative List in the Second Schedule of the Constitution.
He affirmed that it is the singular responsibility of the National Assembly to enact laws in this regard and enacted ARCON Acts 23 of 2023 which reserve the power to regulate advertising to ARCON as State Signage and Advertising Agencies’ laws are alien to the Nigerian Constitution and such power does not fall within the legislative remit of a state.
According him, it is not within a state Advertising or Signage Agency’s jurisdiction to request for, receive or approve advertisement (political or otherwise) before exposure and described the act is illegal and unconstitutional.
As 2027 general elections campaign and voters’ education approach, ARCON seeks to collaborate with State Signage Agencies in ensuring a peaceful electioneering and voters’education devoid of partisan and guerilla policies.
