In a development that reiterates the effectiveness of regulatory intervention in Nigeria’s advertising industry, Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited (EMTS), operator of the T2 brand and formerly known as 9Mobile, yesterday paid a courtesy visit to the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) to express gratitude for the Council’s role in resolving long-standing commercial disputes.
The visit, led by John Vasikaran, Chief Operating Officer, EMTS, and other senior executives of the telco giant centred on notifying ARCON of the successful resolution of payment disputes between EMTS and its advertising agencies, following mediation facilitated by the regulatory body.
According to sources familiar with the matter, EMTS confirmed it has fully settled all outstanding obligations to concerned agencies through an installment payment agreement brokered by ARCON. The settlement, which was reached through ARCON’s conciliatory intervention, resolved historical debts that had strained relationships between the telecommunications company and service providers in the advertising ecosystem.
Speaking during the visit, EMTS representatives commended ARCON’s leadership for creating a conducive environment for dispute resolution and ensuring stability in the advertising industry. The company emphasized that the Council’s facilitative role had been instrumental in achieving an amicable settlement that preserved business relationships while honoring contractual obligations.
The company further pledged its support for ARCON’s ongoing industry reforms, expressing confidence in the regulatory framework being developed to professionalize Nigeria’s advertising sector and align it with global best practices.
Industry observers note that EMTS’s acknowledgment of ARCON’s effectiveness directly contradicts recent claims by the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) that regulatory intervention has damaged business confidence and driven advertisers away from the Nigerian market. The successful mediation between EMTS and its agencies shows that ARCON’s dispute resolution mechanisms are functional and valued by major industry players.
In recent times, the Council has facilitated numerous similar settlements between advertisers and agencies, helping to reduce the tension that had previously characterized the industry.
The visit concluded with EMTS expressing appreciation for ARCON’s understanding and cooperation throughout the mediation process. The company formally notified the Council that all obligations arising from the instalment payment agreement have been fully discharged and no outstanding sums remain.