The Federal Government has recovered more than N3 billion in debts owed media organisations and declared an end to the era of unpaid adverts, as it moves to strengthen accountability in Nigeria’s advertising industry.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at the inauguration of a five-member Advertising Offences Tribunal (AOT), describing the development as part of ongoing efforts to sanitise the sector and protect the interests of stakeholders.

Idris said the government would no longer tolerate situations where adverts were placed in media organisations without payment, noting that unpaid advertising debts could undermine the operations of media houses and threaten the livelihoods of workers in the sector.

“The era of anybody going to place adverts and then refusing to pay media organisations is now behind us,” the minister said.

He stressed that the tribunal was not established as a punitive body but as a mechanism to promote order, fairness and accountability within the advertising ecosystem.

According to him, advertisers must pay for adverts placed in newspapers, television, radio and other media platforms, while the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) must also ensure that advertising content is responsible, pro-development and in the best interest of Nigerians.

Idris said the advertising industry is a major employer and source of livelihood, adding that its reform would benefit media organisations, advertisers, practitioners and consumers.

He urged stakeholders to support ARCON and the tribunal, describing the newly appointed members as distinguished professionals capable of discharging their responsibilities with integrity.

The five-member tribunal is chaired by Justice Cecilia M. A. Olatoregun (Emeritus), with Musa Ahmed Attah; Merga Tyowanan Kachina; Dr Ken Onyeali Ikpe, and Hajia Sa’a Ibrahim as members.

The tribunal was established under Section 37 of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act, 2022, as a specialised judicial body for adjudicating offences arising from advertising and marketing communications.

Its jurisdiction covers offences under the ARCON Act, the Code of Advertising Practice, Standards of Practice and other relevant enactments, including advertising without required approval, misleading advertising claims and unlawful comparative advertising.

Idris said the tribunal would ensure that advertising regulations are effectively enforced, helping to protect consumers, promote fair competition and strengthen professionalism in the sector.

He urged the chairman and members to discharge their duties with independence and fairness, saying every case should be considered on its merits.