ARCON declares states’ directive for submission, vetting of adverts as illegal

Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, ARCON has warned that it is not within the states advertising and signage agencies’ jurisdiction to request for, receive or approve any advertisement whether political or not before exposure.

The council declared any such request as illegal and unconstitutional

This warning was informed by the directives by some state signage and advertising agencies, particularly the new directives from Ondo and Enugu States signage and advertising agencies.

ARCON said the directives which requests all practitioners, advertisers and advertising agencies involved in out-of-home advertising in Ondo and Enugu states to submit some categories of advertisement – political, gaming, lottery and brad advertisements before exposure, is unlawful and ultra vires the powers of a state advertising and signage regulatory agency.

The council explained that it is the singular responsibility of the National Assembly to enact laws for regulation of advertisement and in this regard, the National Assembly enacted the ARCON Acts 23 of 2023 to regulate advertising.

ARCON enjoined state signage agencies to tread with caution and desist from directives that can usurp the oversight responsibility of the federal government, as well as create bottlenecks.

It will be recalled that late last year, ARCON also warned a over similar action.