ARCON sets October 23 for 2026 special recognition awards in Lagos

The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has announced October 23, 2026, as the date for the maiden expanded edition of its ARCON Special Recognition Awards (ASRA), designed to celebrate excellence, compliance and outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s advertising and marketing communications industry.

The awards, themed “An Evening of Many Honours,” will recognise deserving individuals, brands, organisations and industry practitioners across four major categories: Advertising Compliance, Public Sector, Private Sector and Individual Recognition.

Speaking at a media briefing on Monday, ARCON Director-General, Dr Olalekan Fadolapo, said the initiative was driven by the need to continually acknowledge individuals and organisations that have contributed positively to the industry.

Fadolapo explained that the awards were initially conceived to recognise compliance with advertising standards and encourage other practitioners to follow established regulations.

However, he said the changing dynamics of the advertising ecosystem made it necessary to broaden the scope.

“Beyond that, we feel strongly that just recognising compliance with advertising standards may not be enough,” he said, adding that the expanded categories would recognise individuals who had contributed significantly to the growth of the ecosystem.

The ARCON chief also said ASRA would help change the public perception of the Council as a regulator primarily associated with sanctions and violations, stressing that ARCON also had a responsibility to promote and celebrate excellence.

Chairman of the ASRA Planning Committee, Yinka Adebayo, said the awards would follow a multi-stage process involving nominations, eligibility screening, technical assessment, public voting, jury review and ratification, followed by the declaration of winners.

He said the Advertising Compliance category would honour advertisers, brands and practitioners demonstrating exemplary compliance with advertising standards and commitment to responsible advertising practices.

The Individual Recognition category will celebrate industry pioneers who played significant roles in developing various sectors, while posthumous awards will be presented to deserving pioneers.

Other individual honours include the Industry Lifetime Contribution Awards and Distinguished Service Recognition Awards for professionals with sustained contributions to the growth, regulation and development of marketing communications in Nigeria.

Adebayo said nominations opened on August 31 and will close on September 13, 2026. Voting will take place from September 20 to 27, while jury selection and ratification will run from September 28 to October 2.

The awards ceremony will be held on October 23, 2026, in Lagos.