1. The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, [ARCON) has received two petitions against Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited (trading as 9mobile), a member of the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) relating to its long overdue indebtedness of one billion Naira (N1B) for advertising services.

2. Itwasalso alleged that while 9mobile refused to pay or resolve its indebtedness to the agencies, it has gone ahead to brief other agencies to continue its advertising and advertisement business with impunity. The agencies owed are left in limbo.

3. ARCON will investigate the movement of the account from the agencies owed to the new agencies briefed to ascertain compliance with disengagement protocol as well as possible breach of ethical procedure.

4. By the workings of the advertising ecosystems, advertising debts are beyond agencies, they belong mostly to media houses and third-party vendors/suppliers who are significantly affected by the indebtedness with multiplier effect on their cash flow and operations.

5. ARCON will work with relevant anti-graft and other government agencies to ensure detailed investigation is done and the debt resolved/paid. This is an economic sabotage capable of inhibiting the Federal Government policy of inclusive industry growth and development of the Nigerian advertising industry.

6. This is to reiterate that the Nigerian advertising industry payment threshold remains 45 days.

7. ARCON will take all necessary actions to eradicate unfair advantage, unethical competition and unequitable policies between relevant stakeholders in the Nigerian advertising industry, ensuring adherence to payment threshold, industry credit policy, protection of copyright/intellectual property ownership, and compliance with the Advertising Industry Standard of Practice (AISOP).

Dated 30th May 2025

Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, FCA, fnimn, frpa

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