ARCON Expresses Displeasure Over Unethical Exposure Of Unverified Claims, Misleading Advertisements On Meta Platform
The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCONJ has expressed displeasure over the unlawful exposure of a series of unethical advertisements on the treatment of a range of ailments on Instagram and Facebook platforms owned by Meta Incorporated and represented in Nigeria by Facebook Nigeria Operations Limited.
The apex body of regulation expressed this in a statement signed by its Director-General, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo.
According to the statement, the spurious and unsubstantiated claims in the advertisements pose serious health risks to Nigerians as they have no clinical or scientific proof of their efficacies.
ARCON states that from its investigation, the products were not certified by relevant government agencies and may not be safe for consumption.
“However, the brand owners are taking the loose opportunities offered by online media platforms to expose these unvetted advertisements.”
“These advertisements with frivolous claims were neither submitted to nor approved for exposure by the Advertising Standards Panel [ASP] being the statutory Panel established by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act No. 23 of 2022 to ensure that advertisements targeting the Nigerian market conform with advertising ethics as well as prevailing laws of the Federation.” The statement reads in part.
Dr. Fadolapo said that ARCON will take necessary actions to ensure that the individuals and organisations involved in the unlawful exposure of unapproved advertisements are sanctioned in line with the prevailing laws and the Code of Advertising.
Some of the advertisements exposed on Meta Platforms include:
Nancy Secret Kayamata, come and lock ur stubborn client with us; Hookup Kit (Runs Girl Package), brings only rich and wealthy men to you; Extreme Control Set, comes with attention, love, and control command products to make your man grant your heart desires and Big Girls Soap, this is a special product for ladies that are expecting rich men 6 also favour from them and contractors can use it as well.
Nancy Secret Kayamata, where a very effective result is guaranteed; Billz Herbal Wellness, which brings all your gbola issues to Billz… I can help you get rid of that stubborn infection as well; Billz Herbal Wellness, Na gbola wey sweet na woman dey fight for; Billz Herbal Wellness, make it stronger, longer and last longer in bed; Billz Herbal Wellness, meet the infection terminator and Dr. Edheba Trado Medical Centre, We specialise in all bones dislocations, fractures, all spinal injuries among other advertisements.