Nollywood and Skits Videos: FG Sets New Guidelines with Ban on Money Rituals, Ritual Killing, and Smoking

In a decisive move to regulate content in the Nigerian film industry, the Federal Government has officially banned the depiction of money rituals, ritual killings, and the glamorization of smoking and other vices in Nollywood productions.

This announcement was made by Shaibu Husseini, the executive director and CEO of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), during a national stakeholder engagement on smoke-free Nollywood, held on Wednesday in Enugu.

The event, which was organized in collaboration with Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), saw the attendance of prominent figures from various guilds and associations within the Nigerian film industry, including actors, directors, and producers.

Husseini underscored the urgent need to address these controversial issues, stating, “All parents, guardians, and stakeholders must take audacious and ambitious action in response to the industry emergency that we are currently facing.”

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He revealed that discussions about creating a supplementary law to limit smoking in films had begun under the former Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Muhammad. These discussions expanded to include the prohibition of money rituals and other crimes, reflecting a broader initiative to sanitize the film industry. “I am pleased to announce that the regulation has been approved by Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, in accordance with section 65 of the NFVCB Act 2004,” Husseini said.

The newly approved regulation, titled the Prohibition of Money Ritual, Ritual Killing, Tobacco, Tobacco Products, Nicotine Product Promotion, and Glamorization Display in Films, Music Videos, and Skits Regulations 2024, has also received the nod from the Minister of Justice. The regulation is slated for publication in the Federal Government’s Gazette.

The sensitization program aimed to educate stakeholders about the risks of smoking portrayed in Nigerian films. Husseini highlighted the detrimental impact of glamorizing smoking, particularly on young viewers who constitute the majority of the movie audience. “The glamorization of smoking in movies has a detrimental effect on young people,” he noted, emphasizing that the new regulation is part of a comprehensive effort to promote positive health messages in film content.

The NFVCB plans to roll out extensive enlightenment initiatives targeting secondary schools, colleges, local communities, and faith organizations to further the cause of smoke-free movies. Husseini called for the cooperation of all stakeholders to create content that not only entertains but also promotes health and deters smoking. “The NFVCB is in favor of smoke-free movies and smoke-free Nollywood,” he asserted.

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These subsidiary regulations, developed in conjunction with CAPPA, respond to a gap in the current law regarding smoking in films. “The NFVCB is poised to assume a leadership role in this regard, having devised and initiated inventive strategies to fulfill its mandate,” Husseini declared.

In addition to regulating content, the NFVCB is responsible for registering all movie theaters and video stores in the nation, ensuring a comprehensive list of these establishments is maintained. This latest regulatory move signifies a significant step toward enhancing ethical standards and promoting health consciousness within the Nigerian film industry.