The Federal Government of Nigeria has enacted a ban on the depiction of money rituals and the glamorization of various vices in Nigerian films.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, this decision was announced by Shaibu Husseini, the Executive Director and CEO of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), during a National Stakeholders Engagement on Smoke-Free Nollywood held in Enugu on Wednesday. The event was organized by the NFVCB in collaboration with Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa.
The engagement saw participation from movie producers, directors, actors, and leaders of various guilds and associations within the Nigerian film industry.
Husseini emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues within the industry, highlighting the necessity of decisive actions from parents, guardians, and stakeholders.
He recounted how his predecessor had approached former Minister of Information Alhaji Lai Muhammed to propose legislation aimed at reducing the display of smoking in Nigerian movies, and the need to extend this regulation to include money rituals and other criminal activities.
Husseini announced, “I am delighted to inform you that the Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has approved the regulation under section 65 of the NFVCB Act 2004. This regulation prohibits the depiction of money rituals, ritual killings, tobacco, tobacco products, nicotine product promotion, and the glamorization of these vices in movies, musical videos, and skits.” The approved regulation has been forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Justice for gazetting.
He further explained that the program aims to educate stakeholders about the dangers of portraying smoking in Nigerian movies. Besides the health risks, glamorizing smoking negatively influences teens and young adults, the primary audience of these films.
The NFVCB plans to conduct extensive enlightenment programs across secondary schools, tertiary institutions, local communities, faith groups, and other organizations.
Husseini noted, “The film industry holds a significant place in the entertainment and creative sectors, and it is crucial to prioritize its progress. The NFVCB endorses smoke-free movies and a smoke-free Nollywood and seeks your collaboration to create content that discourages smoking and promotes positive health messages.”
Following extensive discussions, the NFVCB, in collaboration with CAPPA, decided to implement ‘subsidiary regulations’ specifically addressing smoking in films, as this was not explicitly covered in existing laws. The NFVCB is committed to leading this initiative and has begun implementing innovative strategies to fulfill its mandate.
The NFVCB is also tasked with registering all film and video outlets nationwide and maintaining a register of these outlets among its other responsibilities.
