Nollywood: FG Bans ‘Money Ritüal’, Smôking, Other Social Vices In Movies

By Akinwale Kasali

The moral decadence among youths and abuse of drugs has prompted the  Federal Government to prohibit the glamorizing of money ritüal scenes, smôking and other social vices in the Nigeria Movie Industry, Nollywood.

The Ban by the FG was disclosed by the Executive Director/CEO  of  National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr Shaibu Husseini.

Husseini said that the Federal Government has approved the prohibition of money ritüals and glamourising  of vices in Nigerian films.

He made this disclosure at the National Stakeholders Engagement on Smoke-Free Nollywood held in Enugu on Wednesday.

Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA, in partnership with NFVCB, organised the event in the South Eastern State.

Movie producers, Directors and Actors drawn from different parts of the country, as well as leaders of various guilds and associations in the Nigerian film industry were present at the event.

Husseini said that 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 a subsidiary legislation to curtail the display of smoking in Nigerian movies, he saw the need to include money ritüals.

“Others included in the regulation are ritüal killings and glamourising 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,” he said.

Husseini  said the sensitisation programme was to educate stakeholders on the danger inherent in consummation of smoking in Nigerian movies.

According to him, besides the health implications,  glamourising  smoking in films poses a negative influence on  teens and young adults who constitute the largest segment of Nigeria movie viewers.

He said that the board was set to undertake detailed enlightenment programmes in secondary schools, tertiary institutions, local communities, faith groups and other institutions.

“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.

“ After series of engagements, the NFVCB in collaboration with the CAPPA decided to do a ‘subsidiary regulations’ to cater for smoking in movies since this aspect was not expressly spelt out in the extant Law.

“The NFVCB is well prepared to take leadership in this regard and has planned and began implementing innovative ways to achieve its mandate,” he said.