The Federal Government has called for stronger ethical standards and regulatory safeguards to guide the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies in Nigeria’s advertising industry. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, made the call in a keynote address delivered on his behalf by the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, at the 2026 Advertising Industry Colloquium held in Lagos on Thursday. The annual event, organised by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), brought together regulators, advertising practitioners, academics, media professionals and other stakeholders under the theme: “The Future of Advertising: Roles of Platforms, People and Regulation.” The minister said AI and digital platforms have transformed the advertising ecosystem but also created concerns around misinformation, harmful content, privacy, data protection and market fairness. He stressed that innovation must be supported by effective regulation to protect consumers while encouraging creativity and investment. Idris maintained that AI should complement—not replace—human elements such as creativity, cultural understanding, ethical judgment and emotional intelligence. He said the Federal Government remains committed to building a globally competitive digital economy through reforms aimed at expanding innovation, attracting investment and creating employment opportunities. He urged greater investment in digital literacy, education and creative entrepreneurship, and called for stronger collaboration between regulators, academia and industry practitioners. Earlier, ARCON Director-General, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, said the rapid evolution of communication technologies requires adaptive regulatory