ARCON threatens sanctions over ‘unauthorised’ AI advert featuring Tinubu

The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has issued a stern warning to individuals and groups behind a fake AI-generated advertisement featuring President Bola Tinubu.

The council described the advert, which surfaced on Facebook, as a fraudulent scheme designed to defraud Nigerians.

In a statement signed on Monday by Olalekan Fadolapo, the agency’s director-general, ARCON said preliminary investigations confirmed the ad was created using artificial intelligence without any official approval for exposure in Nigeria.

ARCON clarified that Tinubu had no involvement in the advertisement, adding that his image and voice were unlawfully used.

“A preliminary investigation shows that the advertisement is computer/AI-generated with the intention to mislead and defraud unsuspecting Nigerians,” the council said.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not model for, or authorise anyone to use his image in promoting any investment scheme.

“The advertisement was neither submitted for vetting nor vetted and approved for exposure by the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP) in line with the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act No. 23 of 2022.”

ARCON reiterated the importance of the Nigerian government’s pre-exposure vetting policy as a safeguard against false, misleading, and harmful advertising.

“The purpose of the federal government’s policy of pre-exposure vetting is to ensure all advertisements are decent, truthful, legal, socially responsible, and devoid of misinformation, disinformation, and unsubstantiated claims,” the DG added.

The council reminded all media owners, including traditional, new media, and digital platforms of their legal obligation to obtain a vetting certificate of approval before airing any advertisement targeting the Nigerian market.

Fadolapo appealed to advertising professionals and the public to uphold ethical standards.

“As we continue to build a more ethical and consumer-protective advertising environment in Nigeria, we call on all stakeholders to recommit to truthful, legal, decent, and responsible advertising,” he said.