Nigerian Government bans money ritual, smoking scenes in Nollywood movies

The Federal Government has prohibited the depiction of money rituals and smoking scenes in Nigerian films.

The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) announced this at a stakeholders’ engagement in Enugu, organized in collaboration with Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa.

According to Shaibu Husseini, Executive Director and CEO of NFVCB, “Today, we are facing an industry emergency requiring bold and ambitious actions from all parents, guardians, and stakeholders.”

Husseini explained that the regulation was approved by the Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, pursuant to section 65 of the NFVCB Act 2004.

He stated, “The minister has approved the Prohibition of Money Ritual, Ritual Killing, Tobacco, Tobacco Products, Nicotine Product Promotion, and Glamorisation display in Movies, Musical Videos, and Skits” Regulations 2024.”

He further added, “We have also forwarded the approved copy to the Federal Ministry of Justice for Gazette.”

Husseini emphasized the need for the regulation, saying, “Besides the health implications, glamorising smoking in films poses a negative influence on teens and young adults who constitute the largest segment of Nigerian movie viewers.”

He announced that the board would undertake detailed enlightenment programs in secondary schools, tertiary institutions, local communities, faith groups, and other institutions.

He said, “As you all know, the film industry occupies a central position in the entertainment and creative sector, and we must continue to place the highest premium on the progress of the film industry.”

Husseini stressed the importance of collaboration, saying, “The NFVCB supports smoke-free movies and smoke-free Nollywood, and we, therefore, seek your collaboration to develop creative content that discourages smoking and promotes positive health messages.”

He explained that the regulation was a result of a series of engagements, saying, “After a series of engagements, the NFVCB in collaboration with the CAPPA decided to do a ‘subsidiary regulations’ to cater for smoking in movies since this aspect was not expressly spelt out in the extant Law.”

Husseini assured that the NFVCB was prepared to take leadership in this regard and had planned and begun implementing innovative ways to achieve its mandate.

He said, “The NFVCB is well prepared to take leadership in this regard and has planned and begun implementing innovative ways to achieve its mandate.”

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