The Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) has announced that it has changed its name to the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON). The Council has also banned the use of foreign models and voice-over artists for advertisements in Nigeria in order to promote local content and talents.
This was disclosed on Monday by the Director-General, ARCON, Olalekan Fadolapo in a statement titled, ‘Ban On The Use Of Foreign Models And Voice-over Artist On The Nigerian Advertising Medium/Media’.
The statement read, “In line with the Federal Government’s policy of developing local talent, inclusive economic growth, and the need to take necessary steps and actions aimed at growing the Nigerian advertising industry, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), being the apex advertising, advertisement and marketing communications’ regulatory agency of the Federal Government, has in accordance with its statutory mandates, responsibilities, and powers as conveyed by the ARCON Act No. 23 of 2022, bans the use of foreign models and voice-over artists on any advertisement used on the Nigerian advertising space with effect from 1st October 2022.
“All advertisements, advertising, and marketing communications materials are to make use of only Nigerian models and voice-over artists. Ongoing campaigns are permitted to run out their terms.
“However, subsequent applications for revalidation for continued exposure of such materials will not be granted by the Advertising Standards Panel. Advertisers, advertisement agencies, media houses, the advertising community, and the general public are hereby enjoined to take note”.
