Endorsement deals and brand ambassadorships are one of the major sources of income for celebrities. Companies and organizations usually leverage on the fame of celebrities to advertise their products.
However, some companies have withdrawn their endorsement deals from Nigerian celebrities. This usually happens when celebrities are involved in a scandal or public misconduct which may tarnish the image of the company.
Listed below are three Nigerian celebrities who have lost major endorsement deals between 2020 and 2021;
1: FUNKE AKINDELE
Funke Akindele, popularly known as Jenifa, lost her endorsement deals with Dettol and the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). she was also arrested and taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba Lagos.
She was arrested for hosting a party in contravention of the lockdown order in Lagos State. As an ambassador for Dettol and a partner of NCDC, she appeared in several adverts advising Nigerians to observe social distancing and personal hygiene.
Although Funke Akindele apologized to Nigerians for hosting a party during the lockdown, she was tried in court and and sanctioned. She also lost her endorsement deals.
2: LADY MOTARA
Lady Motara, a Twitter influencer and brand ambassador lost her endorsement deal with a humanitarian organization last year after she released a video online where she mocked a beggar child.
As the PRO of the “Brothers-keeper” organization, her actions in the viral video contravenes the rules and ethics of the association.
Although Lady Motara tendered a public apology, the association withdrew her membership and her ambassadorial position.
3: BABA IJESHA
Veteran nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, reportedly lost one of his juicy endorsement deals this year after he was accused of child molestation.
