The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has warned individuals and groups behind a fake artificial intelligence (AI)-generated advertisement featuring President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to desist immediately, stressing that the advert was designed with the sole intention of defrauding Nigerians.

The ad, which has surfaced on Facebook, owned by Meta Inc., was described by the apex regulatory body as fraudulent, stressing that it was created with the intent to mislead the public into investing in a Ponzi scheme.

In a press statement signed by its Director-General, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, ARCON disclosed that initial investigations confirmed the material was generated using AI technology and had no official approval for exposure in Nigeria.

“A preliminary investigation shows that the advertisement is computer/AI-generated with the intention to mislead and defraud unsuspecting Nigerians,” the council stated.

ARCON clarified that the President had no involvement whatsoever in the advertising, adding that his image and voice were unlawfully deployed.

“President Tinubu did not model for, or authorize anyone to use his image in promoting any investment scheme,” the statement stressed.

The council further noted that the advertisement was never vetted or cleared by its Advertising Standards Panel (ASP), as required by law.

“The advertisement was neither submitted for vetting nor vetted and approved for exposure by the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP) in line with the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act No. 23 of 2022,” it said.

ARCON reiterated that the Nigerian government’s policy of pre-exposure vetting remains a crucial safeguard against false, misleading, and harmful advertising.

According to the Director-General, “The purpose of the Federal Government’s policy of pre-exposure vetting is to ensure all advertisements are decent, truthful, legal, socially responsible, and devoid of misinformation, disinformation, and unsubstantiated claims.”

The regulatory body also issued a stern reminder to all media stakeholders about their statutory obligations. It stated: “This is to remind all media owners (traditional, new media, primary digital media space owners, and secondary digital media space owners) that, as gatekeepers of advertising, advertisement, and marketing communications in Nigeria, they are required by law to demand and obtain a vetting Certificate of Approval before the exposure of any advertisement targeted at the Nigerian market.”

Failure to comply with these provisions, ARCON warned, would not go unpunished. “The violation of the requisite provisions of Act No. 23 of 2022 will attract sanctions in accordance with the law,” the statement read.

Dr. Fadolapo further appealed to advertising professionals and the wider public to recommit to ethical standards in line with ARCON’s mandate. “As we continue to work towards building a more ethical and consumer-protective advertising environment in Nigeria, we call on all stakeholders and the advertising community to recommit to the principles of truthful, legal, decent, and responsible advertising in Nigeria,” he said.

He noted that the rise of generative AI has created both opportunities and risks for the advertising industry.

While acknowledging AI’s transformative potential, ARCON cautioned against its abuse for fraudulent purposes.

ARCON’s warning comes amid growing global concerns about the use of deepfake technology in politics, finance, and consumer marketing.

Experts warn that without robust oversight, bad actors could increasingly weaponize AI tools to mislead citizens, manipulate perceptions, and orchestrate large-scale fraud.

For ARCON, the development reaffirms the urgency of its regulatory framework under the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act No. 23 of 2022, which gives it broad powers to vet, monitor, and sanction advertising practices in the Nigerian market. With its latest drive, the council is seeking to protect both the integrity of Nigeria’s advertising ecosystem and the financial safety of its citizens. (The Guardian)