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The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has issued a stern warning to digital marketers, influencers, and content creators over the increasing wave of fraudulent AI-generated advertisements spreading across Nigerian social media platforms.
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Speaking during a press conference in Lagos, Director-General Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo expressed concern over the “porous” nature of Nigeria’s digital advertising space. He vowed that the Council will prosecute violators of advertising standards, especially those promoting deceptive and unverified claims online.
“Our social media space has become so porous that people now freely post fake adverts, some of which claim outrageous and bogus benefits,” Dr. Fadolapo stated.
The Director-General warned that unscrupulous actors are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence tools to create realistic yet entirely fabricated video and image ads that mislead consumers. He cited disturbing examples, including a viral advertisement for a herbal drug falsely claiming to cure over 200 diseases, including HIV and cancer.
Dr. Fadolapo stressed that such advertisements not only pose serious public health risks but also erode trust in authentic brands and products that comply with ARCON’s advertising regulations.
He lamented the lack of adequate regulatory oversight on digital platforms, unlike traditional media where ads undergo editorial and legal scrutiny before broadcast. “Digital channels have become a loophole for fraudulent actors due to the ease and anonymity with which ads can be uploaded and shared,” he noted.
The Council reiterated its commitment to cleaning up Nigeria’s online advertising space, ensuring that all paid content—whether on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, or any other platform—must adhere to truth-in-advertising principles and obtain necessary approvals.
ARCON urged the public to report suspicious advertisements and warned that it will intensify efforts to monitor and prosecute violators, especially those spreading AI-generated health frauds, investment scams, and other misleading content.
