The Out-of-Home Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) has vehemently repudiated the Heads of Advertising Sectoral Groups’ (HASG) resistance to the Chartered Out-of-Home Media Practitioners of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024. Instead, OAAN has expressed its unwavering endorsement of the bill, viewing it as a pivotal measure poised to address fundamental issues within Nigeria’s out-of-home media sector.
In a resolute and emphatic statement signed by OAAN President Sola Akinsiku, the association unequivocally distanced itself from HASG’s opposition, clarifying that OAAN was not involved in any discussions or decisions against the bill. “The Association hereby makes this categorical statement that we were never a part of the HASG’s decision to oppose the bill. We were not at any meeting of the Group where any such issue was discussed and a decision taken,” Akinsiku asserted.
OAAN highlighted that the pursuit of the bill stems from longstanding challenges that have plagued the out-of-home media practice due to inadequate standards and control noting that, the sector has suffered significant setbacks, with many members experiencing losses from the destruction of their facilities and media structures by state and local government authorities as well as the influx of charlatans.
Reaffirming its commitment to the industry’s growth as a key stakeholder, OAAN noted that the bill has been widely misunderstood. It clarified that the bill aims to ensure that state signage agencies and local governments function in unison, prevent environmental clutter, stop the periodic destruction of out-of-home media structures by government entities, ensure business sustainability, and address arbitrary billing and other assaults on out-of-home media assets across the country.
OAAN’s unambiguous support for the bill, championed by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe was emphatically stated. “For the avoidance of doubts, our Association has unequivocally and unambiguously expressed our support for the bill as proposed by the most distinguished Senator Abaribe Enyinnaya because we are convinced that the anticipated Charter will promote sanity, excellence, and professionalism in the Out-of-Home media ecosystem,” Akinsiku emphasized.
The association is convinced that attaining chartered status is crucial for the growth and protection of the out-of-home media sector. “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. At the least, onslaught against Out-of-Home Media Assets in the country would be protected and bastardization of the environment with cluttering would stop,” Akinsiku added.
Having passed its second reading in the Senate, the bill seeks to professionalize the out-of-home media sector and mitigate its environmental impact.
