The Heads of Advertising Sectoral Groups (HASG), Nigeria’s umbrella body for the advertising industry, has reviewed the recent open letter addressed to the Presidency by the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) concerning the operations of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), as well as ARCON’s response to the issues raised.

In a statement signed by member bodies of HASG comprising the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Out-of-Home Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria (EXMAN), Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN), and Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), the group clarified its position in the interest of industry stability and national economic growth, while calling for constructive engagement among stakeholders.

HASG expressed strong support for the inauguration of the ARCON Council by the Federal Government of Nigeria, stating that a properly constituted Council strengthens governance, enhances accountability, and ensures balanced regulatory oversight. According to the group, activating the Council reinforces transparency and institutional credibility across the industry.

The group also reaffirmed its position that the Advertising Industry Standard of Practice (AISOP) remains beneficial to the long-term sustainability of the sector. While acknowledging that implementation challenges may arise within any regulatory framework, HASG emphasized that such concerns should be addressed through structured engagement and constructive negotiation rather than disengagement.

Highlighting the importance of collaboration, HASG noted that Nigeria’s advertising industry thrives when advertisers, agencies, media owners, regulators, and allied bodies work together. The organization therefore urged ADVAN to return to the HASG forum in the spirit of partnership and collective problem-solving.

As part of its commitment to industry cohesion, HASG announced plans to 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 current issues.

HASG stressed that the present situation should not be viewed as a conflict between regulators and advertisers but rather as an opportunity to strengthen governance, refine processes, and reinforce trust across the industry. The group maintained that regulation and growth must coexist to ensure a stable, competitive, and investment-friendly advertising environment.

The organization further emphasized the vital role of Nigeria’s advertising and creative sector in supporting enterprise, driving consumer engagement, generating employment, and projecting the nation’s image, noting that the industry is too important to be weakened by division.

HASG reaffirmed its commitment to lawful and accountable regulation, continuous improvement in policy implementation, and open dialogue among stakeholders.

“The path forward lies in conversation, collaboration, and collective responsibility. The industry must move forward—together,” the statement concluded.