“We’re Not Banning Money Rituals, Smoking in Movies” — NFVCB Executive Director Clarifies

The Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr. Shaibu Husseini, has addressed viral reports claiming that the Federal Government had approved a ban on money rituals and smoking in Nigerian films. Dr. Husseini clarified these reports during a recent national stakeholders’ engagement on smoke-free Nollywood, held in Enugu. This event was organized by the NFVCB in collaboration with Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA).

Dr. Husseini responded to the misinterpretations, stating, “I did not announce a ban on smoking and ritual scenes in movies at the stakeholders’ engagement on a healthy screen and the campaign to have a smoke-free Nollywood. What I mentioned in my speech was the existence of a regulation (NFVCB Regulations 2024) that, in line with global best practices, prohibits the promotion and glamourization of money rituals, ritual killings, tobacco, and nicotine products in movies, music videos, and skits.”

He emphasized that the regulation aims to discourage the unnecessary depiction, promotion, advertisement, or glamorization of these elements. The regulation requires that any necessary smoking scenes for historical accuracy or educational purposes must display a health warning at the beginning and end of the work. Dr. Husseini assured stakeholders that the NFVCB would not implement policies that stifle creativity.

“Any movie, skit, or music video depicting tobacco or nicotine products that are essential to the narrative will receive the appropriate classification and will not be shown to persons under the age of 18,” he added.

Supporting Dr. Husseini’s clarification, Comrade Alex Eyengho, former President of the Association of Nollywood Core Producers (ANCOP), confirmed that the discussion at the stakeholders’ engagement focused on existing regulations governing the depiction of smoking and money rituals in Nollywood productions. He noted that Dr. Husseini did not announce an outright ban but emphasized the importance of proper classification over censorship.

Dr. Husseini reiterated his commitment to ongoing engagement with industry stakeholders on these and other issues, aiming to ensure that Nollywood content aligns with regulatory standards while preserving creative expression.