Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has underscored the importance of protecting originality, ethical standards and intellectual property as artificial intelligence reshapes the country’s advertising and creative industries.
Speaking at the ‘4th Advertising Industry Colloquium (AIC 4.0)’ organised by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) in Lagos on Thursday, the Director General, Voice of Nigeria, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, who represented the minister, said responsible journalism and ethical storytelling remain indispensable in protecting public trust and preserving the integrity of original content in the digital age.
He noted that while AI has transformed content creation and communication, human creativity, professional judgment and credibility cannot be replaced.
“Artificial Intelligence may generate content, but authentic storytelling, cultural understanding, emotional intelligence and professional judgment remain uniquely human,” the minister said.
Idris warned that the growing influence of digital platforms has created new challenges, including misinformation, harmful content, privacy concerns and intellectual property violations, making the role of journalists and media practitioners even more vital in protecting original content and maintaining public trust.
He urged stakeholders across the media, advertising and technology sectors to develop ethical frameworks that reward originality, protect creators and encourage responsible innovation.
“Government will continue to support policies that foster innovation while safeguarding intellectual property rights and ensuring that technological advancement benefits both creators and consumers,” he stated.
The minister described advertising as a strategic sector that now extends beyond promoting products to shaping public opinion, strengthening democracy, promoting national identity and driving economic growth.
According to him, the Federal Government is implementing reforms aimed at building a competitive digital economy, supported by expanding broadband infrastructure, increased internet access and investments in digital innovation.
Idris said Nigeria’s growing digital ecosystem presents enormous opportunities for journalists, advertisers, content creators and other creative professionals, but stressed that innovation must be matched with strong ethical standards and effective regulation.
He identified platforms, people and regulation as the three pillars that will determine the future of advertising.
While digital platforms have expanded access to information and communication, he said they also require responsible governance to protect consumers and ensure fairness.
On regulation, Idris commended ARCON for modernising Nigeria’s advertising regulatory framework through stakeholder engagement and adaptive policies.
He also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to using strategic communication and digital platforms to provide Nigerians with accurate information about government programmes while promoting transparency, national unity and civic responsibility.
“The future of advertising will not be determined by technology alone. It will be shaped by the quality of our ideas, the integrity of our institutions and the courage of our leadership,” Idris said.
He called on government, the media, advertisers and technology companies to work together in building an advertising ecosystem that promotes innovation without sacrificing ethics or public confidence.
The event came to a colourful close as the five schools from different parts of Nigeria who participated in the delivery of different stage and slide presentations got awarded cash prizes, with Kwara State University, Ilorin, bagging the prize for first position.
