Nigeria Government has banned the use of foreign models and voice-over artists for advertisements targeted at Nigerians.

Olalekan Fadolapo, Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), disclosed this in a statement released on Monday, August 22. According to Fadolapo, the new policy will take effect from October 1, 2022.

He said the move was aimed at promoting local content and talents and increasing economic growth.

Read below the complete text:

“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 the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act No. 23 of 2022, bans the use of foreign models and voice-over artists on any advertisement targeted or exposed 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 re-validation for continued exposure of such materials will not be granted the advertising standards panel (ASP).

Advertisers, advertisement agencies, media houses, advertising community and the general public are hereenjoined to take note.”the statement in part read