In a significant move to address emerging concerns in the Nigerian film industry, the Federal Government has approved the prohibition of money rituals, ritual killings, and the glamorization of vices in Nigerian movies, skits, and music videos.
Shaibu Husseini, the Executive Director/CEO of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), made this announcement while speaking at a National Stakeholders Engagement on Smoke-Free Nollywood held in Enugu on Wednesday, May 22.
Husseini stated that the former Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, recognized the need to address the display of smoking in Nigerian movies. The regulation was then expanded to include the prohibition of money rituals, ritual killings, and the glamorization of other crimes, in order to further sanitize the film industry.
“Today, I am delighted to announce to you that the Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, pursuant to section 65 of the NFVCB Act 2004, has approved the regulation,” Husseini said.
The approved regulation, titled “The Prohibition of Money Ritual, Ritual Killing, Tobacco, Tobacco Products, Nicotine Product Promotion and Glamorisation display in Movies, Musical Videos and Skits” Regulations 2024, will be forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Justice for gazetting.
Husseini highlighted the negative influence that glamorizing smoking in films can have on teens and young adults, who constitute the largest segment of Nigeria’s movie viewers. He said the board is set to undertake detailed enlightenment programs in secondary schools, tertiary institutions, local communities, faith groups, and other institutions to address these concerns.
The move by the Federal Government is aimed at promoting responsible content creation and consumption within the Nigerian film industry, ensuring that harmful practices and vices are not being normalized or glorified.
