Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said the Tinubu Administration recognises Nigeria’s advertising and creative industries as key drivers of economic growth, job creation and innovation, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to policies that will help the sector thrive. This was contained in a statement signed by Rabiu Ibrahim, mnipr, Special Assistant on Media to the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation.
The Honourable Minister, who was represented by the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Jibrin Baba Ndace, made the statement on Thursday at the Advertising Industry Colloquium (AIC) 4.0, organised by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) in Lagos.
“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. Our administration is implementing bold reforms to build a competitive digital economy capable of creating jobs, attracting investments and positioning Nigeria as Africa’s innovation hub,” Idris said.
He noted that Nigeria’s expanding digital economy, supported by over 170 million active telecommunications subscriptions and ongoing broadband infrastructure projects, has created new opportunities for advertisers, content creators and digital entrepreneurs.
The Minister described advertising as an industry that goes beyond promoting products, saying it shapes culture, drives economic activity, supports businesses and strengthens national development.
He stressed the need for a balance between innovation and regulation, noting that digital platforms and Artificial Intelligence must be supported by responsible governance.
“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 also urged industry stakeholders to embrace innovation while protecting creativity, ethics, and intellectual property, adding that the government would continue to work with ARCON and other stakeholders to position Nigeria as Africa’s leading hub for responsible advertising, creative excellence, and digital innovation.
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