The Out-of-Home Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) has distanced itself from the Heads of Advertising Sectoral Group (HASG)’s opposition to the proposed Chartered Body for Out-of-Home Media Bill, in the wake of the bill’s passage through second reading in the National Assembly.
The disclaimer published in media reports and verified to Brand Communicator by the OAAN President, Mr. Sola Akinsiku adds weight to the association’s position in the unfolding industry debate. The statement issued yesterday, emphatically denies OAAN’s involvement in HASG’s decision-making process regarding the bill, despite being a member of the group.
“Contrary to the impression being created by the Group that OAAN was part of the meeting that opposed the Bill, its leadership was never consulted before the decision was taken,” Akinsiku stated.
While OAAN acknowledges that it did not initiate the bill, the association has expressed full support for its passage. The organization believes that the proposed legislation will significantly benefit practitioners and the industry at large, bringing much-needed regulation to the out-of-home advertising ecosystem.
OAAN highlighted several benefits of the bill, including enhanced protection for Out-of-Home Media assets against destruction, reduction of environmental clutter caused by unregulated advertising, and promotion of sanity, excellence, and professionalism in the sector.
The association’s statement further elaborated, “We are convinced that the anticipated Charter will promote sanity, excellence and professionalism in the Out-of-Home media ecosystem. We believe very strongly that it is in the best interest of our practice and business as well as the industry to have the proposed chartered status.”
The bill, proposed by Senator Abaribe Eyinnaya Harcourt, has garnered OAAN’s “unequivocal and unambiguous” support.
This stance puts OAAN at odds with HASG, a development industry observers believe, signals a potential rift within the advertising industry. As the bill progresses through the legislative process, the advertising industry will be closely watching.
This story continues to evolve, and further updates are expected as other industry stakeholders weigh in on the proposed legislation and its potential impacts on the Nigerian advertising landscape.