Business
Advertising Stakeholders Set 10 – Agenda for ARCON To Improve the Industry
By Charles Flames
Stakeholders in the Advertising industry in Nigeria have tabled ten – action plans to improve the practice by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON).
The stakeholders had after a careful scrutiny of the new laws and guidelines introduced recently by ARCON, said that for the new law to foster a thriving advertising ecosystem in Nigeria, ARCON should consider the following recommendations:
- Consultation and collaboration: Engage in regular dialogue with stakeholders, including advertisers, agencies, online platforms, and consumer advocates, to ensure that regulatory measures are practical, effective, and considerate of industry dynamics.
A collaborative approach to regulation, similar to ICAN’s multi-stakeholder model, can lead to better outcomes for all parties involved. - Transparency and accountability: ARCON should ensure that its decision-making process is transparent and based on evidence, with clear communication of regulatory changes and their rationale.
This approach will help build trust between ARCON and the advertising industry while promoting a sense of shared responsibility for upholding advertising standards.
- Flexibility and adaptability: Regulations should be responsive to the rapidly evolving advertising landscape, particularly in the digital space. ARCON should monitor global best practices and emerging trends to ensure that its guidelines remain relevant and supportive of innovation.
- Education and capacity building: ARCON should provide resources and training programs to help advertisers, agencies, and other stakeholders understand and comply with advertising regulations.
By helping industry players develop the necessary skills and knowledge, ARCON can promote a culture of responsible advertising and self-regulation.
- Streamlined approval processes: To avoid bureaucratic bottlenecks and support the timely release of advertising content, ARCON should implement efficient and user-friendly approval processes for advertising material. This could include online submission systems, clear turnaround times, and dedicated support for small businesses and content creators.
- Encourage diversity and inclusivity: ARCON should revise its regulations to allow for the use of both local and international models in advertisements, promoting diversity and inclusivity.
This approach will not only improve Nigeria’s global image but also allow advertisers to resonate with a broader range of audiences, supporting their businesses’ growth and competitiveness.
- Balancing regulation and freedom of contract: While it is essential to ensure fairness, equity, and order in the advertising industry, ARCON should respect the constitutional freedom for legal business entities to enter into contractual agreements. Regulators can provide guidelines and best practices for commercial considerations, but they should not interfere with the negotiation process or impose arbitrary restrictions.
- Foster self-regulation: ARCON should promote a culture of self-regulation within the advertising industry by encouraging the development of voluntary codes of conduct and industry-led initiatives. This approach can complement formal regulation and empower industry players to take responsibility for upholding advertising standards and protecting consumers’ interests.
- Benchmarking and international cooperation: ARCON should actively participate in international forums and collaborate with other advertising regulators to learn from best practices and ensure that Nigeria’s regulatory framework aligns with global standards.
This engagement will help ARCON to stay abreast of emerging trends and challenges in the advertising industry and inform its regulatory approach.
- Measuring impact and effectiveness: ARCON should regularly assess the impact and effectiveness of its regulations, seeking feedback from stakeholders and adjusting its approach as needed.
This ongoing evaluation process will help ensure that regulatory measures remain fit for purpose, fostering a dynamic and responsive advertising industry in Nigeria.
“By implementing these recommendations, ARCON can create a balanced regulatory environment that promotes responsible advertising while respecting the needs of businesses and other stakeholders. This approach will help to cultivate a thriving advertising ecosystem in Nigeria, driving innovation, economic growth, and job creation, and fostering a diverse and inclusive creative industry that reflects the country’s rich cultural heritage and its commitment to the common good,” said the stakeholders.
The stakeholders described the new ARCON laws as restrictive, archaic, and detrimental to the creative industry.
” Effective regulation is crucial for any modern society, as it establishes standards, guidelines, and rules that ensure fairness, safety, and order.
The role of regulation should be to balance the interests of various stakeholders, such as consumers, investors, businesses, and society as a whole,” they said.
Business
Presidency replies Emir Sanusi on “Why are we still borrowing and borrowing?”
Bwala wrote on X, “Your Royal Highness, we are simply borrowing to invest in the critical sectors of our economy, the chiefest of which is INFRASTRUCTURE.
The infrastructure deficit requires a yearly investment of at least $30B-100B, and what we have is insufficient, hence the borrowing “
•Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II
The Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, on Friday, responded to a question asked by the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, about a fresh $516 million foreign loan President Bola Tinubu was seeking the Senate ‘s approval to borrow.
Emir Sanusi’s remarks come amid reports that the Federal Government has increased its 2026 borrowing plan by ₦11.31 trillion, pushing total projected borrowing to ₦29.20 trillion.
Speaking during an interview published by News Central TV on Friday, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, said : ” We’ve removed the subsidy. We’re now spending it. .. If you’re not paying the subsidy and you’ve got the money, why are we still borrowing and borrowing? What are we borrowing for?”
In response, the presidency stated that the Tinubu administration is borrowing to invest in the critical sectors of the economy, especially infrastructure.
Bwala wrote on X, “Your Royal Highness, we are simply borrowing to invest in the critical sectors of our economy, the chiefest of which is INFRASTRUCTURE. The infrastructure deficit requires a yearly investment of at least $30B-100B, and what we have is insufficient, hence the borrowing “
Business
Dangote proposes to build refineries in East Africa if …
Dangote made the pledge at the infrastructure summit – the Africa We Build Summit 2026 – on Thursday in Nairobi, Kenya.
Africa’s leading industrialist and President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has said the refinery in Lagos can be replicated in East Africa with the right support.
Dangote made the pledge at the infrastructure summit – the Africa We Build Summit 2026 – on Thursday in Nairobi, Kenya.
The proposed refinery Dangote was referring to would be built in Tanga, Tanzania. A pipeline would be linked to Kenya’s Mombasa port to serve the entire East African region. Kenya, Uganda, and neighbouring eastern African countries would benefit
Dangote said: “I can give commitment to the two presidents that were here; if they will support the refinery, we’ll build the identical one that we have in Nigeria – 650,000 barrels per day.”
The presidents he was referring to are Kenya’s President William Ruto and Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni.
The proposed refinery Dangote was referring to would be built in Tanga, Tanzania. A pipeline would be linked to Kenya’s Mombasa port to serve the entire East African region. Kenya, Uganda, and neighbouring eastern African countries would benefit.
On the readiness, Dangote said: “There is nothing that can stop it. We have done the one in Nigeria and that’s why we are taking the bold move which was started already. Piling has started, while building to a scale – 1.4 million barrels per day will give us the largest refinery – world number two.
“It is 10% of entire United States of America’s refining capacity.
And this is coming with lot of, you know, petrochemicals. If we look at it today in Nigeria, if not because we have polypropylene, all the plants, all businesses would collapse.
“Cement is packed in polypropylene, flour, rice, grains, everything. So nothing… and the cost now has shot up between just 45 days – from $900 to 3$3,000. There is no way you can afford that. You can’t afford it.
“So, that is why we must learn how to build self-sufficiency. Right now, we have big financial institutions that are very hungry for big ticket items. And we’re also big in terms of our own vision.
“So, it is possible. Africans can do it. Let us not be scared. No. Let us not come and be convinced, as I know somebody needs to carry our own material to go and produce and bring the items here.
“I must really thank the President of Uganda for taking this bold move: stopping the export.
They will be forced. They would come (and) produce. Why do you have to take your material (away), then you’ll bring it back? We have educated people. We have big financial institutions. It’s not like before. Things have changed.”
Business
CBN increases ATM card issuance fee by 50% to N1,500
CBN disclosed this in its Exposure draft of the Guide to Charges by Banks and Other Financial Institutions, OFIs, in Nigeria 2026.
The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has increased the fee for issuance and replacement of Automated Terminal Machine (ATM) debit/ credit cards by 50 percent to N1,500 from N1,000.
The apex bank also scrapped the N50 monthly charges for Naira Debit/ Credit Card maintenance which usually includes 7.5 percent Value Added Tax but said customers with Foreign Currency denominated debit/credit cards will continue to pay maintenance fee of $10 per annum.
CBN disclosed this in its Exposure draft of the Guide to Charges by Banks and Other Financial Institutions, OFIs, in Nigeria 2026.
The apex bank also reiterated among other things that the cost of ATM transactions on Merchants PoS will be borne by the Merchant and not the customers.
CBN said: “ATM card Issuance/Replacement charges for regular/basic debit/credit card is N1, 500. “Charges for Premium Debit/Credit/Hybrid Card are negotiable Virtual cards at no charge. “Merchant Service Charge (MSC) (charge to be borne by the merchant).
There shall be no charge to the cardholder paying the merchant.
“All card transactions done by cardholders at a merchant location shall be free of charge to the cardholder, i.e. the MSC shall be borne by the merchant.
The MSC payable by a merchant (0.5 percent) subject to a cap of N10,000 shall be the same irrespective of the technology or payment methods.”
In a circular to Banks, Other Financial Institutions and the Public signed by the Director Financial Policy and Regulation Department, CBN, Dr. Rita Sike, CBN said that the review of the guide to charges by banks and OFIs and non bank Financial Institutions was to fulfill its mandate to promote a safe and sound financial system in Nigeria accelerate the adoption of innovative financial services, financial inclusion and micropayments/transaction.
(Vanguard)
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