Shaibu Husseini, CEO of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), recently announced that the Nigerian government has approved a ban on depicting money rituals and other harmful practices in Nollywood films.
This decision was revealed during the National Stakeholder Engagement on Smoke-Free Nollywood, which took place in Enugu.
The event, organized by NFVCB in collaboration with Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), gathered various industry professionals to address challenges in the Nigerian film industry.
Husseini emphasized the need for immediate and collective action from parents, guardians, and industry stakeholders to combat negative portrayals in films.
This move is part of broader efforts to mitigate the impact of harmful content in Nollywood, ensuring the industry contributes positively to societal values and public health.
“The regulation now includes ritual killings and the glamorization of other crimes to further sanitize the film industry,” Husseini stated. “The Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has approved a new regulation under section 65 of the NFVCB Act 2004.”
Titled “Prohibition of Money Ritual, Ritual Killing, Tobacco, Tobacco Products, Nicotine Product Promotion and Glamorisation Display in Movies, Musical Videos and Skits” Regulations 2024, the regulation has been sent to the Federal Ministry of Justice for publication.
NFVCB is committed to carrying out extensive awareness campaigns in secondary schools, universities, local communities, religious groups, and other organizations.
“The film industry plays a vital role in the entertainment and creative sector, and it is crucial that we prioritize its progress,” Husseini said. “The NFVCB supports smoke-free movies and seeks collaboration to create content that discourages smoking and promotes positive health messages.”
Following extensive engagements, NFVCB, in collaboration with CAPPA, developed subsidiary regulations to address smoking in movies, an aspect not explicitly covered by existing laws.
NFVCB is responsible for registering all film and video outlets across the country and maintaining a register of these outlets, among other functions.
