ARCON and MIPAN Call for a United Front to Navigate Reforms, Tackle Industry Challenges
By Azeez Disu
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s advertising landscape have called for unity and collaboration to address ongoing industry reforms and embrace future technological shifts.
Speaking at the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN) in Lagos, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, Director General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), and Dozie Okafor, President of MIPAN, underscored the need for a collective effort to build a more resilient and accountable industry.
The AGM, themed “Navigating The Future: AI, Data and The Quest for Value in a Challenging Media Landscape,” set the stage for a discussion on the industry’s path forward.
Dr. Fadolapo, in his address, lauded MIPAN as a “very, very important member” of the advertising ecosystem, describing the association as “strategic to the survival of advertising and marketing” in Nigeria. He specifically praised MIPAN’s contribution to talent development through the Alphabet Media Academy (AMA), which he noted has become a vital “recruiting tool for the industry”.
While assuring the association of ARCON’s continued collaboration, Dr. Fadolapo did not shy away from the challenges ahead. “Reform may not be very easy. It is always very, very difficult,” he admitted, “but at a point, we all need to sit down and agree.” He urged industry players to engage openly with the regulatory body, stating, “If there’s anything we feel uncomfortable with as part of the industry progress and reform, feel free to reach out to us, and we will provide you with an explanation.” He pointed to persistent issues such as debt payment as areas requiring dialogue and strong self-regulation.
Dr. Fadolapo emphasised that a robust self-regulatory framework within organisations like MIPAN is crucial for industry health. He argued that when members comply with standards of accountability, it leads to “less work at ARCON” and a “better industry” for everyone.
Echoing the theme of collective responsibility, MIPAN President Dozie Okafor delivered a passionate “renewed call to action” to members. He reminded the audience of his administration’s four guiding pillars: advocating for global industry standards, fostering innovation, investing in technology and data, and building industry collaboration.
While celebrating the “remarkable progress” made in enhancing education and innovation, Okafor was candid about the journey ahead. “Have we completed everything yet? No. But have we moved forward with purpose and resilience? Absolutely, yes,” he declared.
Mr. Okafor stressed that the vision of MIPAN as “custodians of standards, champions of creativity, and builders of a stronger industry” cannot be realised by a select few. “The truth is that no executive, no committee, no small group can achieve this alone,” he asserted. “The growth we envisage requires all of us — our ideas, our energy, our commitment, and our collective will.”
He added, “So today, as we reflect on the journey so far, I invite you to imagine the journey ahead. Imagine an industry where global standards are our baseline. Imagine creativity so strong that Nigerian campaigns compete effortlessly on the world stage. Imagine a data-driven media landscape powered by cutting-edge technology. Imagine MIPAN as the go-to institution for knowledge, mentorship, and innovation in Africa.”
The combined messages from both the regulator and the professional body painted a clear picture: the future of Nigeria’s media and advertising landscape depends on a unified commitment to overcoming challenges, upholding professional standards, and proactively preparing for a future driven by AI and data.
