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Sector licencesMediaNigeria

License an advertising agency (ARCON)

License an advertising agency with ARCON/APCON: register individual practitioners → corporate documents (RPA CEO) → agency insurance → corporate licence & ad approvals.

Procedure
4steps
Coordination
2agencies
Category
Sector licencesMedia
Task links

Go to the exact next page

Application, requirements, forms, fees, and tracking are labelled separately.

RequirementsRead the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON/APCON) service pageAdvertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON/APCON) · advertcouncil.gov.ngRequirementsRead the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON/APCON) service pageAdvertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON/APCON) · advertcouncil.gov.ng
Routing map

Who you will deal with

Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON/APCON)ARCON
Procedure

The steps, in order

Each route below is scoped to the step it can actually complete.

  1. 01

    Register individual practitioners

    Agency
    Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON/APCON)
    What is required
    Key staff register with ARCON (HND/degree in advertising/marketing/mass communication, NYSC, referees), attend the induction and take the Oath of Practice.
    Documents
    Qualifications; NYSC; referees; induction
    Typical timeline
    Practitioner stage
    Use for this step
  2. 02

    Prepare corporate documents

    Agency
    ARCON
    What is required
    The CEO must be a Registered Practitioner of Advertising (RPA). Provide staff APCON registration, an audited financial report, Tax Clearance Certificate and a pension compliance letter.
    Documents
    RPA CEO; staff registrations; audited report; TCC; pension letter
    Typical timeline
    Documentation
    Use for this step
  3. 03

    Provide agency business insurance

    Agency
    ARCON
    What is required
    Provide agency business insurance from an approved Nigerian insurer: ₦200,000,000 for a National agency, ₦500,000,000 for a Foreign agency.
    Documents
    Agency insurance (₦200m National / ₦500m Foreign)
    Typical timeline
    Before licensing
    Use for this step
  4. 04

    Corporate licence and ad approvals

    Agency
    ARCON
    What is required
    ARCON licenses the agency; pay practice fees (by 31 March yearly). Individual advertisements are pre-cleared via Standards Panel Form 001 (Certificate of Approval) signed by a registered practitioner.
    Documents
    Licence fee; ad materials for approval
    Typical timeline
    Annual practice fee
    Use for this step
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