FG Inaugurates Advertising Offences Tribunal, Tasks Members on Integrity
Oru Leonard
The Federal Government has inaugurated the newly constituted Advertising Offences Tribunal, describing the development as a major step towards strengthening regulation, professionalism and ethical standards in Nigeria’s advertising and marketing communications industry.
The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this on Tuesday in Abuja during the inauguration of the Tribunal.
Idris said the establishment of the Tribunal was an important milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to build a more professional, responsible and globally competitive advertising industry.
“Let us build an advertising industry that commands creativity, earns trust, and upholds responsibility,” the Minister said.
He explained that the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Act No. 23 of 2022 expanded the Council’s regulatory powers and provided for the establishment of the Tribunal to adjudicate offences under the Act, as well as relevant advertising regulations and codes.
The Minister charged the Chairman and members of the Tribunal to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, independence and fairness.
“Every matter that comes before you should be considered on its merits,8 without fear or favour, affection or ill will. The Tribunal must be, and must be seen to be, a fair and impartial institution,” he said.
Idris congratulated the Chairman and members of the Tribunal and assured them of the Ministry’s continued support for ARCON and initiatives aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s advertising industry.
Earlier, the Director-General of ARCON, Dr Olalekan Olumuyiwa Fadolapo, described the inauguration as a major development in strengthening regulation and compliance within the advertising industry.
Fadolapo said the Tribunal represented an opportunity to further institutionalise professionalism and accountability in the sector.
“The Advertising Offences Tribunal is a big opportunity for the Nigerian advertising industry. It is the first of its kind in the world because Nigeria has taken a proactive step not only to legislate on advertising, but also to put structures and frameworks in place,” he said.
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The Chairman of the Tribunal, Honourable Justice Cecilia M. A. Olatoregun, pledged that the panel would discharge its duties with integrity, fairness and professionalism.
“It is a great honour to be called upon to serve our country, and we take this responsibility very seriously. You have asked us to work with integrity, and that is what we are going to do,” she said.
Other members of the Advertising Offences Tribunal are:
Musa Ahmed Attah, SAN
Merga Tyowanan Kachina, Esq.
Dr Ken Onyeali Ikpe, FRPA
Hajia Sa’a Ibrahim, RPA
The inauguration was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr Binyerem Ukaire; Director, Public Communication and National Orientation, Henshaw Ogubike; Director, Public Relations and Protocol, Dr Suleiman Haruna; Special Assistant (Admin) to the Minister, Dr Sunday Baba, among other dignitaries.
The statement was signed by Rabiu Ibrahim, MNIPR, Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
Cover Photo Caption, L–R: Dr. Ken Onyeali Ikpe, frpa; Merga Tyowanan Kachina, Esq.; Musa Ahmed Attah, SAN; Hon. Justice Cecilia M. A. Olatoregun; Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, fnipr; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr. Binyerem C. Ukaire, FWACS; Hajia Sa’a Ibrahim, rpa; and Director-General, Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Dr. Olalekan Olumuyiwa Fadolapo, during the Inauguration of the Advertising Offences Tribunal on August 11, 2026, in Abuja. Photo: Khalid Ahmed/FMINO.
