The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has issued a firm and far-reaching directive aimed at resolving the long-standing problem of advertising and media debt in Nigeria, a move that signals a decisive intervention by the Federal Government in the affairs of the advertising and media industry.

In a move that industry stakeholders have described as bold and timely, Alhaji Idris directed the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) to collaborate with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Heads of Advertising Sectoral Groups to resolve outstanding industry debts and enforce strict adherence to payment thresholds by all stakeholders.

The directive was made public through an official press statement signed by ARCON’s Director General, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, and dated April 15, 2026.

To give full effect to his directive, ARCON, in the statement, outlined three clear and enforceable pillars through which the resolution of advertising debt and adherence to payment standards will be pursued.

“The first is through the Credit Policy and Payment Threshold. ARCON has, in the course of its reforms, mandated that payment for advertising services must be made within 45 days, in line with global best practices and the Advertising Industry Standards of Practice (AISOP).

Where payment is not made within this window, interest will accrue at the prevailing market rate. “The directive mandates full compliance for all Media Purchase Orders (MPOs) and Local Purchase Orders (LPOs) issued for media and advertising ser