Skit makers, social media influencers, bloggers, and others are now required to obtain permission from the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (ARCON) before using their work to advertise a product or service online.
This is in accordance with the rules of the Nigerian Code of Advertising Practice and the ARCON Act No. 23 of 2022, according to a statement released on Monday, December 12 by the Director General, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo.
Fadolapo said in the statement that “ARCON has received complaints on the advertisement, advertising, and marketing communications activities of skit makers, comedians, influencers, content creators/producers, bloggers, vloggers etc. on digital media platforms.
“Most of the advertisements exposed by this group are not only unethical with unverified claims and misinformation, but also in violation of the Nigerian Code of Advertising Practice.”
In accordance with the Nigerian Code of Advertising Practice and the ARCON Act No 23 of 2022., brand owners, digital agencies, secondary digital media space owners, that is, bloggers, skit makers, comedians, influencers, content creators/producers, bloggers vloggers and other advertising stakeholders in the digital/ online space are advised to obtain pre-exposure approval of all advertisements, advertising and marketing communications.
“ARCON will take necessary actions, including sanctions and prosecution of violators of the provision of the Act to ensure compliance,” Fadolapo stated.