The Federal Government has officially banned the portrayal of money rituals and the glamorization of vices in Nigerian films.
This announcement was made by Shaibu Husseini, the Executive Director and CEO of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), at a National Stakeholders Engagement on Smoke-Free Nollywood held in Enugu. The event was organized by the NFVCB in collaboration with Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa.
The gathering included movie producers, directors, actors from various regions, and leaders of several guilds and associations within the Nigerian film industry.
Husseini emphasized the urgent need for decisive action in the industry, stating, “Today, we are facing an industry emergency requiring bold and ambitious actions from all parents, guardians, and stakeholders.”
He recounted how his predecessor approached former Minister of Information Alhaji Lai Muhammed to propose subsidiary legislation aimed at curbing the depiction of smoking in Nigerian films. This initiative was expanded to include money rituals, ritual killings, and the glamorization of other crimes to sanitize the film industry further.
“I am delighted to announce that the Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has approved the regulation pursuant to section 65 of the NFVCB Act 2004,” Husseini said. “The minister has approved the Prohibition of Money Rituals, Ritual Killing, Tobacco, Tobacco Products, Nicotine Product Promotion, and Glamorization Display in Movies, Musical Videos, and Skits Regulations 2024.”
Husseini noted that the approved regulations have been forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Justice for gazetting.
He explained that the sensitization program aims to educate stakeholders on the dangers of depicting smoking in Nigerian movies, highlighting not only the health risks but also the negative influence on teens and young adults, who make up the largest segment of Nigerian movie viewers.
Husseini announced that the board would initiate comprehensive enlightenment programs in secondary schools, tertiary institutions, local communities, faith groups, and other institutions. “The film industry occupies a central position in the entertainment and creative sector, and we must continue to place the highest premium on its progress,” he said.
The NFVCB supports the movement for smoke-free movies and a smoke-free Nollywood and seeks collaboration to develop creative content that discourages smoking and promotes positive health messages.
“After a series of engagements, the NFVCB, in collaboration with CAPPA, decided to establish ‘subsidiary regulations’ to address smoking in movies since this aspect was not expressly covered in the existing law. The NFVCB is well-prepared to lead in this regard and has already begun implementing innovative strategies to fulfill its mandate,” Husseini added.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Board’s functions include registering all film and video outlets across the country and maintaining a register of such registered outlets.