Shaibu Husseini, CEO of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), announced that the federal government has prohibited the depiction of money rituals in Nigerian films.

This declaration was made at an event in Enugu on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, hosted by the NFVCB and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA).

Husseini explained, “Today, we are facing an industry emergency requiring bold and ambitious actions from all parents, guardians, and stakeholders. When my predecessor approached the former Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, on the need to make subsidiary legislation to curtail the display of smoking in Nigerian movies, he saw the need to include money rituals.

“Others included in the regulation are ritual killings and glamorising other crimes in order to further sanitise 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.

“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’. We have also forwarded the approved copy to the Federal Ministry of Justice for Gazette.”

The ban on tobacco and nicotine in movies aims to raise awareness among stakeholders about the dangers of smoking depicted in Nigerian films.

Husseini emphasized the adverse impact that glamorizing smoking in films can have on teenagers and young adults, beyond the health risks.

“As you all know, the film industry occupies a central position in the entertainment and creative sector, and it is imperative that we continue to place the highest premium on the progress of the film industry.

“The NFVCB supports smoke-free movies and supports smoke-free Nollywood, and we therefore seek your collaboration to develop creative content that discourages smoking and promotes positive health messages,” he said.