The Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Shaibu Husseini, has addressed recent reports suggesting that the Federal Government has banned ritual and smoking scenes in Nollywood movies and music videos.
This clarification comes after an announcement during the NFVCB’s stakeholder engagement on the “#Smoke-Free Nollywood” campaign in Enugu. Mr Husseini stated that there has been a misunderstanding, and no ban on smoking and ritual scenes has been officially put in place.
He explained that the NFVCB Regulations 2024 prohibit the promotion and glamorization of money rituals, ritual killings, and tobacco use in movies, music videos, and skits. The aim is to discourage the unnecessary depiction, promotion, advertisement, or glamorization of tobacco or nicotine products.
Mr Husseini emphasized that necessary smoking scenes for historical accuracy or educational purposes must include health warnings at the beginning and end of the content. The regulation aims to ensure appropriate ratings for content depicting tobacco or nicotine products without restricting artistic expression.
The official regulation will be published once gazetted, providing clear guidelines for filmmakers. Mr Husseini reassured that the NFVCB aims to classify, not stifle creativity, and any content displaying tobacco or nicotine products necessary for the narrative will be given the appropriate classification and not shown to persons below the age of 18.
Mr Husseini stated that there is no truth in the headlines suggesting a ban on smoking and ritual scenes in Nollywood. The NFVCB will issue an official position and publish the regulation upon gazetting, ensuring that creativity in the industry is not muzzled.
