ARCON Launches Crackdown on Deceptive Ads Featuring Pastor Adeboye and Others
By Azeez Disu
In a decisive move to combat the rising tide of fake and unethical advertisements, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has announced a comprehensive investigation into several high-profile cases, including the controversial advertisements of Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Mr. Seun Okinbaloye, and Nigeria Custom Services. The agency revealed that these advertisements, circulated on Facebook and other social media platforms owned by Meta Inc., have been flagged for their deceptive and potentially damaging content.
ARCON’s Director-General, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, emphasized the seriousness of the matter, stating, “This is a crucial step towards safeguarding the integrity of advertising in Nigeria. We are committed to ensuring that all advertisements adhere to ethical standards and do not mislead or defraud the public. Fake advertisements undermine consumer trust and compromise the credibility of the advertising industry.”
Preliminary investigations indicate that both Pastor Adeboye’s and Mr. Okinbaloye’s advertisements were computer-generated images and voices used with malicious intent to promote fraudulent schemes, including fake cures for prostatitis and erectile dysfunction. Similarly, Nigeria Custom Services’ impounded cars and rice bags, allegedly linked to solicitation for auction patronage, are part of a scam targeting unsuspecting Nigerians.
ARCON has vowed to take all necessary legal steps, including collaborating with platform owners, advertisers, and relevant authorities, to clamp down on such unethical practices. The agency has also mandated the formation of a special monitoring and enforcement task force to track and flag non-compliant advertisements swiftly.
Dr. Fadolapo urged the public to support this initiative by reporting deceptive advertisements, emphasizing the importance of ethical advertising practices. “We call on Nigerians to be vigilant and report any ad that appears deceptive, illegal, or untruthful. Our goal is to foster a fair, transparent, and consumer-protective advertising environment,” he said.
The agency also reassured the public that it will continue to enforce strict guidelines and work tirelessly to eliminate misleading advertising, affirming its commitment to building a more ethical advertising landscape in Nigeria.