The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially approved a prohibition on the depiction of money rituals and the glamorization of certain vices in the country’s film industry. This significant move aims to curb the influence of negative content on viewers and uphold moral and ethical standards in Nigerian cinema.
Shaibu Husseini, the Executive Director and CEO of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), announced the new regulations during a National Stakeholders Engagement on Smoke-Free Nollywood, held in Enugu. This event, organized in collaboration with Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, drew attendance from prominent figures in the Nigerian film industry, including movie producers, directors, actors, and leaders of various guilds and associations.
During his announcement, Husseini highlighted the urgency of addressing what he termed an “industry emergency,” calling for bold actions to protect young viewers and maintain the cultural integrity of Nigerian films. He recounted an earlier dialogue with the former Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, which initiated discussions on curtailing smoking scenes in movies. This conversation evolved to include broader issues such as money rituals and ritual killings, culminating in comprehensive regulations to sanitize the film sector.
The newly approved regulations, titled “Prohibition of Money Ritual, Ritual Killing, Tobacco, Tobacco Products, Nicotine Product Promotion and Glamorization display in Movies, Musical Videos, and Skits Regulations 2024,” were authorized by Hannatu Musawa, the Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy. These rules have been forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Justice for official publication in the Gazette.
Husseini explained that the regulation is not just about banning certain content but is also part of a broader initiative to educate stakeholders and the public about the dangers of glamorizing smoking and other harmful behaviors in films. He stressed the negative impact such portrayals can have on teens and young adults, who make up a large portion of the movie-going audience in Nigeria.
In response to these new regulations, the NFVCB plans to launch detailed enlightenment programs targeting secondary schools, tertiary institutions, local communities, faith groups, and other key sectors. These initiatives are designed to foster a smoke-free Nollywood and encourage the development of creative content that promotes positive health messages and upholds the societal values.
Husseini also mentioned that the board, in collaboration with the CAPPA, had to create subsidiary regulations to address smoking in movies explicitly, as the current law did not sufficiently cover this aspect. He affirmed the board’s readiness to lead these changes and implement innovative strategies to achieve their mandate. In addition to the regulations, the NFVCB continues its administrative duties, such as registering all film and video outlets across Nigeria and maintaining a comprehensive register of these entities.
