The Nigeria Stock Image Bank (NSIB) is Africa’s first locally-owned stock image bank, founded by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON). At launch, the Image Bank is anticipated to work with more than 100,000 photographers, 10,000 models, content producers, and other experts.
Recently, as part of its ongoing industry-wide changes aimed at developing and presenting the advertising ecosystem as a force to be reckoned with in the global advertising market, the council established a 10-member Stock Image Bank Committee under the leadership of Kelechi Amadi Obi.
In his welcome speech, ARCON Director General Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo emphasised the significance of this project: “The establishment of Nigeria’s Stock Image Bank is a crucial step in the right direction of promoting local content and helping to boost the economy in line with the directive of the Honourable Minister of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, and the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda of President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Speaking further, Dr. Fadolapo said: “This pioneering effort aligns perfectly with our ongoing mission to develop local content and promote indigenous production. We believe that creating an African-centric image repository will empower our local talent while ensuring that our visual narrative is authentically represented on the global stage.”
Dr. Fadolapo went into further detail about the stock image bank’s possible effects and how it can be used to address demands both domestically and internationally. He gave the recently established committee an ambitious assignment and gave them three months to turn in an initial report accessed by BrandSpur banking and finance at my news desk. It is anticipated that this research will serve as a foundation for the establishment of Africa’s first extensive stock image bank.
It is anticipated to include important topics such as copyright protection, intellectual property, technology infrastructure, and methods for breaking into international markets.
The 10-person committee is led by Kelechi Amadi Obi, a seasoned photographer with international recognition and the president of the Professional Photographers Association of Nigeria. The members were carefully chosen to represent all facets of the media and advertising industries.
Mr. Frank Osodi, President of the Professional Model Managers Association of Nigeria (PROMMAN), has joined him as a member. Additional committee members with significant representation from various sectors are Mr. Victor Oyarero of the Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN), Mr. Bolu Apata of the Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria (EXMAN), Mr. Omo Abunene of the Outdoor Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (OAAN), Mr. Uche Onwudiwe of the Advertisers and Clients, Mr. Kanmi Da Silva of the Advertising Agencies Association of Nigeria (AAAN), Ms. Martha Ugbomma Onyebuchi (ARCON), and Ms. Winifred Akpan will function as the secretary.
Mr. Kelechi Amadi Obi conveyed honour and resolved in his acceptance speech: “It’s an honour to be brought onboard to head this committee.”
He went on to state: “I am happy to have met the man pioneering change in this sector and allowing local content to thrive with the changes he has been bringing, enabling local content creators who live within Nigeria to tell the story of Nigeria.”
Continuing, by adding: “My people have a saying that until the lion can tell his story, the hunter will always be the hero. An initiative like this is not just for the business aspect. I believe it is existential for us to be able to tell our stories.”
He continued by drawing attention to the discrepancy in online picture searches, pointing out that searching for “African man pounding yam,” frequently produces images taken by non-African photographers outside of the continent.
He went on: “It is very important for us to be our own storytellers.”
“An Image Bank is not something you put together very easily. It is like going to the supermarket. You have to stock it with enough variety of products for people to want to go to the supermarket. You also have to put in place a system where whoever’s product is sold gets paid and can restock.”
However, he added: “With the Stock Image Bank, we are at the cusp of a turnaround. This bank will not only serve the Nigerian people, it will serve the world. It provides the bank of images that will decide how the world sees Africa. Once we wake up, the rest of the continent will, as well.”
Industry observers anticipate significant ramifications from the creation of Africa’s first stock image bank, especially for content creators such as photographers and models. It gives African visual narratives a platform to be shared with the world and fits nicely with the growing trend of cultural authenticity in international media and advertising.
They continued by saying that projects like ARCON’s stock image library are essential in influencing how the continent is seen around the world as Africa continues to exert its position on the international scene. This innovative endeavour has the potential to serve as a template for other African countries if executed appropriately.
