The Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) has mandated that skit creators, social media influencers, bloggers, and others seek its approval before advertising any product or service online.
This order is contained in a statement released on Monday by the Office of the Director General, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo.
According to the statement, the new mandate is in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Code of Advertising Practice and the APCON Act No. 23 of 2022.
APCON has received complaints about the digital media platforms’ advertisement, advertising, and marketing communications activities of skit makers, comedians, influencers, content creators and producers, bloggers, vloggers, and others.
“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.
Brand owners, digital agencies, owners of secondary digital media spaces (i.e., bloggers, vloggers, influencers, comedians, skit makers, etc.) and other advertising stakeholders in the digital online media space are advised by this public notice to obtain pre-exposure approval for all advertisements, advertising, and marketing communications in accordance with the Nigerian Code of Advertising Practice and the ARCON Act No. 23 of 2022.
“APCON will take all necessary actions to ensure compliance, including sanctions and prosecution of violators of the Act’s provisions.
