ARCON Slams Bokku Supermarket Over Unapproved, Offensive Ads On Social Media, Vows Legal Sanctions

The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has condemned a series of unapproved and offensive advertisements allegedly released by Bokku Supermarket, which have been circulating widely on various social media platforms.

In a strongly worded statement issued by the Director-General of ARCON, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, the regulatory body described the advertisements as “unlawful, divisive, and contrary to Nigeria’s national values.” According to ARCON, the promotional materials in question instigated ethnic and sectional prejudices, denigrating a section of Nigeria’s population and bringing them into public contempt and ridicule, an act that the apex advertising regulatory body says violates the Federal Government’s policy on national unity and peaceful coexistence.

ARCON further clarified that the controversial advertisements were not submitted for vetting neither were they approved by its Advertising Standards Panel (ASP), as required by Nigerian advertising laws. “These advertisements were neither vetted nor approved for exposure,” Dr. Fadolapo stated. “They clearly breach the ethical standards of practice and pose a serious threat to social harmony.”

Consequently, the regulatory agency revealed that it will be taking steps against the advertisers, agencies, and platform owners involved in disseminating the offensive Bokku Supermarket campaign or any other unapproved advertisement: “ARCON will take all necessary steps, including sanctions and legal redress, to enforce compliance,” the statement read.

The Council emphasized that no advertisement is permitted for public exposure in Nigeria without prior approval from the ASP, which ensures all materials are truthful, decent, legal, and socially responsible.

Also in response to the violations, ARCON announced that it has activated a special monitoring and enforcement task force mandated to track all unapproved advertisements across print, broadcast, outdoor, and digital media platforms.

This development underscores ARCON’s increasing vigilance in policing Nigeria’s advertising space, particularly in the digital and social media ecosystem, where unvetted ads often escape regulatory scrutiny.