…Vows to Enforce Industry Payment Standards and Ethical Compliance
The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has opened a formal investigation into a petition filed against Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited, operators of 9mobile, over an alleged unpaid advertising debt totaling one billion Naira (₦1 billion).
According to a statement from ARCON, two separate petitions were received from concerned stakeholders alleging that 9mobile, a member of the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), has failed to settle longstanding debts owed to advertising agencies for services rendered.
In what industry observers describe as a case of impunity, it is also alleged that 9mobile has continued to engage new advertising agencies while leaving the affected ones in financial limbo. The Council disclosed it would investigate the movement of the 9mobile advertising account from the agencies owed to new ones, to determine whether disengagement protocols and ethical standards were violated in the process.
ARCON emphasized that advertising debts typically extend beyond the agencies themselves, significantly affecting media houses and third-party suppliers whose operations and cash flow are impacted by such financial delays.
“This level of indebtedness constitutes an economic sabotage that undermines the Federal Government’s policy on inclusive industry growth and the sustainable development of the Nigerian advertising sector,” the Council stated.
In response, ARCON has vowed to collaborate with anti-graft agencies and other government bodies to ensure a comprehensive investigation and recovery of the outstanding debt.
The Council reiterated that the industry’s approved payment threshold remains 45 days, as established under the Advertising Industry Standard of Practice (AISOP). It further pledged to take decisive action against any breaches that encourage unethical practices, promote unfair advantage, or stifle competition within the industry.
ARCON also reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing compliance with credit policies, copyright and intellectual property protections, and the overall integrity of the Nigerian advertising ecosystem.
