National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Funmi Ojo
The Federal Government has officially banned the portrayal of money rituals and the glorification of vices in Nigerian films, as announced by Dr. Shaibu Husseini, the Executive Director/CEO of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB).
Husseini made this announcement during a National Stakeholders Engagement on Smoke-Free Nollywood held in Enugu on Wednesday.
The event, organised by the NFVCB and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), brought together movie producers, directors, actors, and leaders of various guilds and associations in the Nigerian film industry.
Husseini pointed out the urgent need for decisive action from all stakeholders, stating, “We are currently facing a crisis in the industry that demands bold measures from parents, guardians, and stakeholders alike.”
He explained that discussions with the former Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, led to the decision to regulate smoking in Nigerian movies and extend the scope to include money rituals and other crimes.
Among the new regulations approved by the Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, is the “Prohibition of Money Ritual, Ritual Killing, Tobacco, Tobacco Products, Nicotine Product Promotion and Glamorization display in Movies, Musical Videos, and Skits Regulations 2024.”
Husseini revealed, “We have submitted the approved regulation to the Federal Ministry of Justice for gazzetting.”
The sensitisation programme aims to highlight the health risks associated with the depiction of smoking in Nigerian movies, particularly its negative influence on teenagers and young adults, who form the largest audience demographic.
Husseini reassured them of the NFVCB’s commitment to promoting smoke-free movies and called for collaboration in creating content that discourages smoking and promotes positive health messages.
“The NFVCB in partnership with CAPPA, has taken proactive steps to address smoking in movies through subsidiary regulations, and we are fully prepared to lead in implementing innovative strategies to fulfill our mandate,” Husseini added.
According to him, “This move is part of a broader effort to ensure that Nigerian films contribute positively to societal values and public health, addressing concerns about the potential impact of harmful content on the audience, particularly the youth.
“The government’s stance reflects a commitment to curbing negative influences in media and fostering a healthier, more responsible film industry in Nigeria”, he noted.
