Nigeria has banned foreign models and voice-over artists in local advertisements.
The move is motivated by the Federal Government’s interest in developing local talent, inclusive economic growth, and growing the West African country’s advertising industry.
The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) issued the directive on Monday (August 22).
The order takes effect from October 1 and the Nigerian government has given a leeway for all ongoing campaigns to keep running until the end of their terms.
Ban on the use of Foreign Models and Voice-Over Artists on the Nigerian Advertising Medium/Media pic.twitter.com/5pICTqOUt1
— Fed Min of Info & Cu (@FMICNigeria) August 23, 2022
“However, subsequent applications for revalidation for continued exposure of such materials will not be granted by the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP),” the regulatory body further noted.
According to local media reports, Nigeria’s president Muhammadu Buhari recently signed into law a bill giving ARCON the mandate of ensuring the preservation of local Nigerian content and the use of indigenous skills as an important element in local advertising marketing communication services.
Under AROCON’s regulations, organizations giving awards to corporates or individuals are mandated to write to the authority to establish the basis and process of arriving at the awards.
