The Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria has waved the red flag on individuals and organizations for unlawful exposure of series of unethical advertisements on treatment of a range of ailments on Instagram and Facebook platforms. The two platforms are owned by Meta Incorporated and represented in Nigeria by Facebook Nigeria Operations Limited.
A release signed by the director general of ARCON, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, states that the spurious and unsubstantiated claims in the advertisements pose serious health risks to Nigerians as they have no clinical or any scientific proof of their efficacies.
The regulator confides that from their investigations, these products are not certified by relevant government agencies and may not be safe for consumption and believes the brand owners are taking the loose opportunities offered by online media platforms to expose these unvetted advertisements.
“These advertisements with frivolous claims were neither submitted to, nor approved for exposure by the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP) being the statutory Panel established by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act No. 23 of 2022 to ensure that advertisements targeting the Nigerian market conform with advertising ethics as well as the prevailing laws of the Federation,” Olalekan reveals.
A list of 11 products with 20 unverified and unsubstantiated claims are mentioned by the Council. They include Nancy Secret Kayamata (Come and lock ur stubborn clients with us), Hookup Kit Runs Girl Package (It brings only rich and wealthy men to you), Extreme Control Set (It comes with attention, love, control/command products to make your man grant your heart desires), Big Girls Soap (This is a special product for ladies that are expecting rich men & also favour from them and contractors can use it as well), and Nancy Secret Kayamata (Very effective result is guarantee…)
Also among the products are Rida Restore (Anti-ageing solution) and Rida Balm (Natural solution for infection).
Two claims are made by Dr. Edheba Trado Medical Centre (We specialize in all bones dislocations, fractures, all spinal injuries; and Absolute treatment for all cases of high blood pressure).
Rida Fat Burner also made two claims (Big belle no mean say you be big man o. Burn that belle fat with Rida Fat Burner; and Burn stubborn body fat naturally with Rida Fat Burner.
Five claims are made by Billz Herbal Wellness (Bring all your gbola issues to bills … I can help you get rid of that stubborn infection as well; Na gbola wey sweet woman de fight for; Make it stronger, longer and last longer in bed; Meet the infection terminator; and Stop scratching and treat infection).
Five claims are also made by Jinja Herbal Extracts (For treatment of infections, diabetes …; The solution for all kinds of infections; Stabilizes blood sugar level; Don’t let this lucrative opportunity pass by; and Boost your health with our super unique Jinja Herbal Extracts).
ARCON promises to take necessary actions to ensure that the individuals and organizations involved are sanctioned in line with the prevailing laws and the Code of Advertising.
