Veteran actor and President of the Association of Voice Over Artists, Segun Arinze, has defended the ban on foreign models and voice-over artists in Nigeria.
Speaking during an interview with CNN on Wednesday, Arinze said that the ban will save forex for Nigeria media companies, adding that it will boost Nigeria’s homegrown talents in the advertising space.
This is coming on the reels of the ban on foreign talents by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria which is aimed at growing Nigeria’s advertising industry.
Arinze noted that Nigeria needs to protect its talent, stating that he does not think Nigeria is doing the wrong thing by providing opportunities for the talents coming up.
He also noted that Nigeria is experiencing a brain drain in the sector, adding that when the talents can’t find work within, they go outside.
“The ban is to encourage the industry, and I do not see anything wrong in that,” he said.
On the impact of the ban on the industry, he stated that it is not a first in Africa. He said, “It is in South Africa. It’s not strange. The impact is that we need to start having homegrown talents who need to do this, and also saving forex earnings.”
“So it is a whole big picture, it’s an ongoing discussion. When Nigerian voice-over artists go outside, they don’t earn even much. You need to keep everything in here.
“I am sure Hollywood and Bollywood would do same,” he added.
