By Clifford Amuzuo
The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) have entered a joint collaborative initiative aimed at amicable resolution of the long standing inter sectoral indebtedness across Nigeria’s advertising and media industry.
The joint move by both regulatory agencies is coming on the heels of the recent Federal government directives urging strict adherence to 45 days payment deadline with a view to mop up all outstanding debts existing between advertisers, advertising agencies and media establishments
As of April 2026, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), had instituted a strict zero-tolerance policy on advertising and media debt.
According to a recent joint debt reconciliation procedure outline endorsed by management of the two regulatory bodies,
ARCON has mandated a strict 45-day payment cycle for all advertising services in alignment with the Advertising Industry Standards of Practice (AISOP). Delays beyond the threshold period will attract interest at prevailing market rates.
Furthermore, advertisers cannot switch advertising agencies without full financial reconciliation and clearing outstanding debts with the outgoing agency.
In addition, ARCON has established an Advisory Debt Reconciliation (ADR) desk to handle industry disputes, providing a platform for mediation, conciliation, and arbitration.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, had directed ARCON and NBC to collaborate on enforcing these guidelines, ensuring both electronic media and traditional advertising agencies to strictly comply to these guidelines in order to prevent further weakening of the media houses.
The new rules makes it mandatory for incoming and outgoing agencies to conduct thorough checks on financial obligations and due diligence.
These reforms are aimed to improve cash flow for media houses, to ensure job security, and maintain accountability within and across the industry in general.
