ADVAN Expresses Concern Over Omission from Nigerian Advertising Law Town Hall Meeting

The Association of Advertisers of Nigeria (ADVAN) has voiced its concern over being excluded from a Town Hall Meeting on Nigerian advertising law, organized jointly by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and the Nigerian Bar Association’s Lawyers in the Media Forum (NBA-LIM). The event took place on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the Sheba Events Center in Ikeja, Lagos, with the theme “The Nigerian Advertising Law: The Role of the Advertising Offences Tribunal (AOT)”.

The forum featured prominent legal and regulatory figures, including ARCON’s Director-General, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo. Other key figures in attendance included Mazi Afam Osigwe, whose presence sparked interest given the industry’s ongoing discussions on advertising regulations.

The exclusion of ADVAN from the town hall meeting has raised eyebrows in the industry, with some stakeholders questioning the reasoning behind the decision. The association has called for greater inclusion in future discussions on advertising regulations, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and collective input in shaping the industry’s future.

“Given the stated purpose of the event, the absence of advertisers’ representation undermines the goal of fostering balanced and inclusive dialogue on the implementation of advertising laws and the functions of the Advertising Offences Tribunal,” the statement read.

While acknowledging the importance of such engagement in promoting understanding of regulatory issues, ADVAN stressed that meaningful progress in Nigeria’s advertising sector can only be achieved through collaboration, inclusion, and mutual respect among all relevant parties. The association reaffirmed its commitment to constructive dialogue with regulatory authorities and industry partners to ensure that advertising regulation continues to evolve in a fair, transparent, and equitable manner.