The Heads of Advertising Sectoral Groups, HASG has called for dialogue across Nigeria’s advertising ecosystem as industry tensions persist.
The umbrella body in a press statement jointly signed by AAAN, OAAN, EXMAN, MIPAN and BON also urged on renewed engagement as well as collaboration among industry players to enhance stability and growth in advertising sector.
The body said it had carefully reviewed the recent open letter sent to the Presidency by the Advertisers Association of Nigeria over the operations of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria and the Advertising Industry Standard of Practice, AISOP, as well as the regulator’s response to the concerns raised.
HASG stated that it unequivocally supports the Federal Government’s inauguration of the ARCON Council, noting that a properly constituted council strengthens governance, improves accountability and provides balanced oversight of regulatory activities.
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The group maintained that activating the council serves the interests of both the regulator and the regulated, while also reinforcing transparency and institutional credibility within the industry.
On AISOP, the group said the framework remains beneficial to the long term health and sustainability of the advertising sector.
According to HASG, AISOP was introduced to promote professionalism, standardize practice and protect value across the ecosystem.
While acknowledging that implementation challenges may occur in any regulatory system, the body emphasized that such concerns should be resolved through structured engagement and constructive negotiation rather than disengagement.
The group further noted that the Nigerian advertising industry performs best when advertisers, agencies, media owners, regulators and allied bodies work together.
HASG therefore urged ADVAN to return to the HASG forum in the spirit of partnership and collective problem solving.
In demonstration to peace and cohesion, HASG disclosed that it will engage separately with the leadership of ADVAN and ARCON through consultative meetings aimed at addressing concerns, identifying areas of common ground and working toward a sustainable resolution of the issues facing the industry.
The umbrella body stressed that it does not see the current situation as a contest between regulator and advertisers but rather as an opportunity to strengthen governance, refine processes and rebuild trust across the ecosystem.
It added that regulation and growth must coexist to guarantee a stable, competitive and investment friendly advertising environment.
The body also reminded stakeholders that Nigeria’s advertising and creative sector plays a critical role in supporting enterprise, driving consumer engagement, creating jobs and projecting the nation’s image globally, warning that the industry is too important to be weakened by division.
Recall that ADVAN had earlier written to the Presidency raising concerns over the implementation of AISOP and the regulatory posture of ARCON.
However, ARCON subsequently responded, maintaining that its actions remain firmly within its legal mandate and are designed to strengthen professionalism and compliance across the advertising landscape.
The body reaffirmed its commitment to lawful and accountable regulation, continuous policy improvement and open dialogue among all stakeholders.
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