ADVAN President, Uwubanmwen Canvasses FG For Council To Regulate Advertising Industry

ADVAN President, Uwubanmwen Canvasses FG For Council To Regulate Advertising Industry

By Adeshina Timothy

The President, Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), Osamede Uwubanmwen has called for the formulation of an active council to regulate the practice of professionals in the Advertising Industry.

Emphasizing the significance of an effective advertising council, Uwubanmwen said, “there is a need for an effective advertising council to ensure true democracy in the affairs of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON). The association can approach the Council with its problems and issues. The Council will enhance collaboration in the industry.”

Uwubanmwen made the call at the 13th ADVAN African Awards for 2025 Marketing Excellence event which held in Lagos.

He disclosed that, “the ADVAN Awards is truly the Oscars of Marketing, and it brings together the finest talent and the most innovative campaigns in the industry.” He also highlighted that “2025 is a pivotal year for Nigerian marketing, with opportunities to grow and ininnovate.”

Reflecting on the 2025 ADVAN Awards theme, Uwubanmwen explained that “Controlled chaos: Mastering marketing in a hyper-connected World” reflects the rapidly evolving marketing landscape, where brands must navigate fragmented consumer attention, unpredictable trends, and overwhelming digital content.

In her keynote address, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole described the ADVAN awards event as a powerful platform to honour outstanding excellence and leadership in the marketing and advertising sectors across Nigeria and Africa.

In her words, “the ADVAN Awards represents creativity, hard work, and the immense positive impact of strategic communications and storytelling in driving customer engagement, economic growth, and fostering industry excellence.”

Oduwole hinted at the ongoing transformation within the Nigerian economy, underscoring the critical importance of the marketing and advertising industries in driving the country’s digital transformation and economic diversification.

She added, “as Nigeria continues its journey towards economic diversification, we see the advertising and creative sector playing a central role in fostering global competitiveness, driving job creation, and contributing to growth.”

Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director, ADVAN, confirmed that over 200 entries were received for the 2025 awards, with an increase in the number of submissions from previous years, highlighting the sector’s growing vibrancy.

Ediri, took the stage to reveal the categories for the awards, which included Campaign of the Year, Brand of the Year, Best Use of AI, Innovation, Future Leaders of the Year, with a special industry-specific category to support leading brands.