Consumer Protection Agency Pushes For Stricter Measures Against Online Scams
At a recent conference, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) called for heightened surveillance and stricter enforcement of advertising standards within Nigeria’s digital space. The Director-General of ARCON, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, made this appeal at the All Gaming Stakeholders Conference organized by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission in Lagos. Addressing participants, Dr. Fadolapo highlighted a sharp contrast between compliance levels in traditional versus digital media, stressing that while adherence to standards is high in conventional outlets, the digital realm remains a largely unregulated space, where advertisers operate with minimal oversight.
“In traditional media, the level of compliance is very high. However, in the digital space, everyone does whatever they like,” Fadolapo noted, underscoring the need for regulation that mirrors the oversight present in other nations. He referenced a recent resolution from the National Assembly, urging ARCON to expand its reach and more stringently monitor digital advertising to curb unethical practices.
One major concern raised by Fadolapo was the prevalence of misleading and fraudulent schemes promoted online. He pointed to the example of U.S. reality TV star Kim Kardashian, who faced a $2 million fine and a three-year Instagram advertising ban after promoting a cryptocurrency scheme that caused significant financial losses for investors. Fadolapo used this example to emphasize that unchecked promotion of deceptive products and schemes could have serious consequences for Nigerian consumers. “As gatekeepers of advertising, we will not allow these unethical practices to go unchecked,” he stated, stressing that ARCON is committed to addressing similar violations locally.
To date, ARCON has already taken action against several organizations for violating advertising standards, demonstrating its intent to protect citizens from harmful and fraudulent promotions. Dr. Fadolapo highlighted that the council has referred cases to the Advertising Offences Tribunal, underscoring that the digital advertising space cannot operate on “autopilot.” He noted that unchecked advertising not only harms citizens but also undermines the economy, eroding public trust.
As Nigeria’s digital advertising industry expands, Fadolapo expressed that stronger regulations would be essential to ensure that the industry remains ethical and trustworthy. His call for stricter enforcement reflects a broader push within ARCON to create a safer, more transparent advertising environment that protects Nigerian consumers from misleading digital promotions.
