By Abiodun Folarin
WorldStage— The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s advertising and creative industries, describing the sector as a key driver of economic growth, job creation and innovation under the economic reforms of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the declaration on Thursday at the Advertising Industry Colloquium (AIC) 4.0 organised by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) in Lagos.
Represented by the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Jibrin Baba Ndace, the minister said the Federal Government is implementing reforms aimed at building a competitive digital economy capable of attracting investment, creating employment and positioning Nigeria as Africa’s innovation hub.
“The Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, recognises the strategic importance of Nigeria’s creative and advertising ecosystem to national development,” he said.
According to Idris, Nigeria’s expanding digital economy, supported by more than 170 million active telecommunications subscriptions and ongoing broadband infrastructure expansion, has opened new opportunities for advertisers, content creators and digital entrepreneurs.
He described advertising as an industry that extends beyond promoting products and services, noting that it plays a critical role in shaping culture, stimulating economic activity, supporting businesses and advancing national development.
The minister stressed the need to strike a balance between innovation and regulation as the industry embraces emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital platforms.
“Effective regulation is not an obstacle to growth; it is the foundation for sustainable development. A transparent and forward-looking regulatory framework builds investor confidence, protects consumers and promotes fair competition,” he said.
Idris urged stakeholders across the advertising and creative ecosystem to embrace innovation while safeguarding creativity, ethics and intellectual property rights.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to working closely with the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and other industry stakeholders to position Nigeria as Africa’s leading hub for responsible advertising, creative excellence and digital innovation.
