Business
Revealed! Why ADVAN Drags ARCON To Court
Revealed! Why ADVAN Drags ARCON To Court
The ADVAN suit against ARCON is focused on aspects of the new ARCON law that are clearly unconstitutional in their provisions.
ADVAN supports any reform that is geared towards industry development and is pursued via the stipulations of the nation’s constitution and below we outline a few areas where the constitutional rights of advertisers are breached under the new ARCON law.
REMIT OF THE LAW
1) S1, 2d Notwithstanding the provisions in any other Act, have exclusive power to determine, pronounce upon, administer, monitor, and enforce compliance by persons and organizations on matters relating to advertisements, advertising, and marketing communication in Nigeria, whether of a general or specific nature.
ADVAN POSITION
The above section of the ARCON law essentially states that it can override any other legislation or regulation as it pertains to advertising and marketing communications in Nigeria – ADVAN seeks clarity on this, as there are various industry regulators that also regulate advertising content for its members
2)▪S2 The provisions of this Act applies to —
▪ S2a Individual, organization, body corporate or agency of the Federal Government, State, or Local Government which engages in, regulates, sponsors or takes benefit of advertising services, advertisements, and marketing communications services; and
▪ S2b Any person who sponsors or takes benefit of an advertising, advertisement, or marketing communications services within the provisions of this Act.
ADVAN POSITION
ADVAN Members belong to various industries and are regulated by the appropriate regulators of those industries.
Here ARCON states in its new law, that it now regulates advertisers (All corporate entities that utilize advertising) even though they do not engage in the business of advertising.
ADVAN is asking the court to clarify if a regulator can move beyond its mandated regulatory jurisdiction, to regulate the clients/ beneficiaries of services of its regulated
(Eg Who does the Nigerian Bar Association regulate? Lawyers or clients of Lawyers?)
Our Understanding of regulation globally is that regulation are for those registered in an industry or profession, NOT the clients or beneficiaries of the services.
The ARCON law states that it now regulates ALL sponsors and beneficiaries of advertising and marketing communications.
INTERPRTATION AND TEMINOLOGIES (ACCORDING TO THE ARCON ACT)
Advertising means any act, action, activity, construct, or undertaking directly, or indirectly, intentionally, or unintentionally, aimed at creating, planning, strategizing, managing, developing, producing, propagating, servicing, or facilitating an advertisement, brand, or marketing communications ideas.”
ADVAN POSITION
This definition of advertising is incorrect
The definition tends closely to the definition of marketing and not advertising
ADVAN is asking court to clarify if a regulatory institution can change globally accepted definitions and terminologies arbitrarily without recourse.
If regulatory bodies can now decide their own definitions and terminologies of existing and approved terms, as it suits them
PRIVILEGES OF REGISTERED PERSONS AND OFFENES BY UNREGISTERED PERSONS
4)S31. (1) A person not being registered in accordance with this Act, shall not be entitled to hold any appointment in the public service of the Federation or of a State or in any public or private establishment, body, or institution if the holding of a such appointment involves the performance by him in Nigeria of any act pertaining to the profession for gain.
S32. (1) An individual or organization, not being registered in any register established under this Act who has failed, refused or neglected to comply with the conditions and requirements for advertising, advertisement, and marketing communications as stipulated under this Act, or who uses any name, title, description or symbol calculated to lead any person to infer that he is engaged in advertising, advertisement or marketing communications commits an offence and is liable on conviction.
ADVAN POSITION
ADVAN is asking that the court clarify if the above section of the ARCON law seeks to register and regulate all persons that have over sight function of their organizations advertising and marketing communication’s activities.
(e.g. Marketing Communications Directors of Advertiser organizations)
ADVAN is of the understanding that a business can utilize the services of any professional (person or organization) without needing to be registered with the professional/regulatory body in charge. As is the case, Accountants, Auditors etc.
ADVAN is asking the court if a business should not have the right to oversee work done by professionals without necessarily needing to be registered or regulated in that profession.
ADVERTIING OFFENCES TRIBUNAL
5)S37. (1) There is established under this Act, the Advertising Offences Tribunal (in this Act referred to as “the Tribunal”).
(2) The Tribunal shall adjudicate over offences created under this Act, Code of Advertising Practice, Standard of Practice, Proclamation and other relevant enactments made under this Act.
(3) The Tribunal shall exercise the jurisdiction, powers and authority conferred on it under this Act or any other enactment.
S43. (1) The Tribunal shall have and exercise jurisdiction and powers in respect of criminal cases and offences created under this Act.
ADVAN POSITION
Globally payment terms are under private contractual terms or as best industry practice – agreed by stakeholders within an Industry as a gentleman’s agreement, not as legislation
As a member of World Federation of Advertisers, ADVAN has researched payment methods globally, and findings from this research show that there are NO LEGISLATON around contract and payments terms for stakeholders within an Industry
It is on these premise as well as other very salient issues (Quite extensive that we are not able capture all here) that we saw no other option but to seek judicial clarification
Signed: ADVAN Executive Council
Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar
In an economy shaped by constant shifts, the edge often belongs to those with the right information.
On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Alpha Morgan Bank will host the 19th edition of its Economic Review Webinar, a high-level thought leadership session designed to equip businesses, investors, and individuals with timely financial and economic insight.
The session, which will hold live on Zoom at 10:00am WAT and will feature economist Bismarck Rewane, who will examine the key signals influencing Nigeria’s economic direction in 2026, including policy trends, market movements, and global developments shaping the local landscape.
With a consistent track record of delivering clarity in uncertain times, the Alpha Morgan Economic Review continues to provide practical context for decision-making in a dynamic environment.
Registration for the 19th Alpha Morgan Economic Review is free and can be completed via https://bit.ly/registeramerseries19
It is a bi-monthly platform that is open to the public and is held virtually.
Visit www.alphamorganbank to know more.
GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%
Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (GTBank), the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, Africa’s leading financial services group, today announced the launch of Quick Airtime Loan, an innovative digital solution that gives customers instant access to airtime when they run out of call credit and have limited funds in their bank accounts, ensuring customers can stay connected when it matters most.
In today’s always-on world, running out of airtime is more than a minor inconvenience. It can mean missed opportunities, disrupted plans, and lost connections, often at the very moment when funds are tight, and options are limited. Quick Airtime Loan was created to solve this problem, offering customers instant access to airtime on credit, directly from their bank. With Quick Airtime Loan, eligible GTBank customers can access from ₦100 and up to ₦10,000 by dialing *737*90#. Available across all major mobile networks in Nigeria, the service will soon expand to include data loans, further strengthening its proposition as a reliable on-demand platform.
For years, the airtime credit market has been dominated by Telcos, where charges for this service are at 15%. GTBank is now changing the narrative by offering a customer-centric, bank-led digital alternative priced at 2.95%. Built on transparency, convenience and affordability, Quick Airtime Loan has the potential to broaden access to airtime, deliver meaningful cost savings for millions of Nigerians, and redefine how financial services show up in everyday life, not just in banking moments.
Commenting on the product launch, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd, said: “Quick Airtime Loan reflects GTBank’s continued focus on delivering digital solutions that are relevant, accessible, and built around real customer needs. The solution underscores the power of a connected financial ecosystem, combining GTBank’s digital reach and lending expertise with the capabilities of HabariPay to deliver a smooth, end-to-end experience. By leveraging unique strengths across the Group, we are able to accelerate innovation, strengthen execution, and deliver a more integrated customer experience across all our service channels.”
Importantly, Quick Airtime Loan highlights GTCO’s evolution as a fully diversified financial services group. Leveraging HabariPay’s Squad, the solution reinforces the Group’s ecosystem proposition by bringing together banking, payment technology, and digital channels to deliver intuitive, one-stop experiences for customers.
With this new product launch, Guaranty Trust Bank is extending its legacy of pioneering digital-first solutions that have redefined customer access to financial services across the industry, building on the proven strength of its widely adopted QuickCredit offering and the convenience of the Bank’s iconic *737# USSD Banking platform.
About Guaranty Trust Bank
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, a leading financial services group with a strong presence across Africa and the United Kingdom. The Bank is widely recognized for its leadership in digital banking, customer experience, and innovative financial solutions that deliver value to individuals, businesses, and communities.
About HabariPay
HabariPay is the payments fintech subsidiary of GTCO Plc, focused on enabling fast, secure, and accessible digital payments for individuals and businesses. By integrating payments and digital technology, HabariPay supports innovative services that make everyday financial interactions simpler and more seamless.
Enquiries:
GTCO
Group Corporate Communication
[email protected]
+234-1-2715227
www.gtcoplc.com
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