The Federal government of Nigeria has taken a bold step to combat the issue of money rituals and the glorification of vices in Nigerian films.
his decision was announced by Nigeria’s National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) during a National Stakeholders Engagement on Smoke-Free Nollywood in Enugu State on May 22.
The event was attended by movie producers, directors, actors, as well as leaders of various guilds and associations in the Nigerian film industry. Dr Shaibu Husseini, Executive Director/CEO of NFVCB, emphasized the need for urgent and ambitious actions to address the challenges facing the industry.
The regulation approved by the Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, prohibits the display of money rituals, ritual killings, tobacco, tobacco products, nicotine product promotion, and glamorization in movies, musical videos, and skits. The NFVCB is set to undertake awareness campaigns in schools, communities, faith groups, and other institutions to educate the public on the negative impacts of these vices.
The board aims to promote smoke-free movies and collaborate with stakeholders to create content that discourages smoking and promotes positive health messages. This initiative is part of the NFVCB’s efforts to lead the industry in promoting responsible and healthy content creation.
It is important to note that the NFVCB is responsible for registering all films and video outlets in Nigeria and keeping a register of such outlets. The board’s decision to regulate the portrayal of vices in films is a significant step towards ensuring that the film industry upholds moral and ethical standards.
