By Henry Akubuiro and Damiete Braide
The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) of Nigeria has introduced new regulations aimed at curbing the glamorisation of smoking, tobacco products, and money rituals in Nollywood films. These regulations, according to NFVCB’s Executive Director Dr. Shaibu Husseini, are designed to protect young, impressionable audiences without stifling artistic creativity in the entertainment industry.
Addressing editors and senior journalists in Lagos last Sunday to clarify the board’s stance and objectives, he said the new rules would allow filmmakers to include scenes depicting smoking or ritual practices only when these scenes are necessary for artistic expression, historical accuracy, or educational purposes. Crucially, such scenes must not glamorise tobacco or ritual practices, nor should they be sponsored by the tobacco industry.
“I really need us to understand this: I did not ban smoking scenes. I did not ban ritual scenes,” Dr. Husseini emphasised. “There are aspects of our culture that you need to display. But, if you have to display these necessary scenes, you must warn people that these things are not real, that it is not a lifestyle to emulate.”
On May 21, 2024, the NFVCB announced that Hannatu Musawa, the Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, had approved the “Prohibition of Money Ritual, Ritual Killing, Tobacco, Tobacco Product, Nicotine Product Promotion, Glamorization, Display in Movies, Musical Videos, and Skits” Regulations 2024. This announcement was made during a National Stakeholders’ Engagement on the “Smoke-Free Nollywood” campaign, organized in collaboration with Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA). The regulations are now awaiting official gazetting by the Federal Government.
Dr. Husseini explained that these measures were not intended to serve any self-interest nor were they anti-creativity. “The regulation is not self-serving,” he stated. “There is nothing anti-creativity about that Regulation, there is nothing about suppression of creativity in that Regulation.” He further emphasised his commitment to artistic freedom, noting, “I’m a performing artiste myself, and I cannot be on the Censors Board as an artiste and also suppress creativity.”
The NFVCB is undergoing a significant transformation, as Dr. Husseini revealed plans to rename it the National Film and Video “Classification” Board. This change reflects a shift from censorship to a more modern classification system. “I commit to a Censors Board that will move completely from censorship to classification, from the present analogue stage of classification to a digitized stage,” he said. “We aim to be responsive to society, stakeholders, and the Federal Government.”
The collaboration with CAPPA has been pivotal in driving these changes. CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, highlighted the importance of the National Stakeholders Engagement held in Enugu, where the Regulations 2024 and a Code of Practice were unveiled.
“One very important thing happened in Enugu that was not given wide publicity,” Oluwafemi noted. “The Code of Practice is a voluntary commitment by movie stakeholders to comply with the intent and spirit of Smoke-Free Nollywood. At that event, about 51 major movie practitioners and associations in Nigeria signed the Code of Practice,» he said.
Reflecting on the need for these regulations, Dr. Husseini pointed out the detrimental effects that glamorised portrayals of smoking and ritual killings have on the public, especially young viewers. “If filmmakers had been aware of the dangers of smoking and the negative impact of depicting ritual killings in the past, they might have sought more creative approaches in their storytelling,” he said.
He recounted a recent CAPPA seminar where filmmakers were educated on the dangers of smoking. The seminar’s graphic presentations had a profound impact, prompting many attendees to commit to avoiding such portrayals in their future works.
Contrary to some public misconceptions, Dr. Husseini clarified that the Federal Government had not imposed an outright ban on scenes involving smoking and ritual killings, ““The only place I mentioned it in my speech was where I said we have received approval for the regulation,” he explained.
The initiative for these regulations, he said, did not originate from him but with his predecessor, who had laid the groundwork for addressing these issues. Subsequently, “The previous government had also mandated that the depiction of rituals should be regulated alongside tobacco and narcotics.”
The primary goal of these regulations, he asserted, was to protect young viewers from harmful influences. “These regulations are for the public good, especially for our children,” Dr. Husseini stated, adding, “ By glamorising ritual killings and money rituals, films can give the impression that wealth and success can only be achieved through such means, a dangerous message for young audiences. The NFVCB aims to ensure that filmmakers understand the negative impact of these portrayals and encourages them to find alternative, creative ways to address these themes.”
As the NFVCB prepares to have these regulations officially gazetted, Dr. Husseini acknowledged the challenge of monitoring compliance. However, he expressed confidence that support from the Minister of Information and Culture would help equip the Board’s staff adequately. “Our goal is to ensure a healthy screen, which benefits everyone, not just individuals,” he said.
The CEO reiterated his commitment to the NFVCB’s mission, which included not only censorship but also the classification of films. “I came to the Censors Board to do what it is set out to do, not just to mark a register,” he emphasised. Also, his dedication extends to ensuring that the Board moves from an analogue stage of classification to a digitalized stage, making it more responsive to the needs of society and stakeholders.”
In addition to the seminar, the NFVCB, he said, was working on further educational initiatives to inform filmmakers and the public about the importance of these regulations. CAPPA’s involvement has been instrumental in providing resources and organising events that bring stakeholders together to discuss these critical issues.
Michael Olaniyan, the In-Country Coordinator of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), noted that the regulations included exceptions for the depiction of smoking in movies, provided these movies carry health warnings.
‘This approach ensures that while artistic expression is preserved, the public is also made aware of the dangers associated with smoking..
Dr. Husseini called for the support of all stakeholders in implementing these regulations and achieving the NFVCB›s goals, for, “This is about our future, our children.” The Board’s efforts aim to make consistent progress towards a responsible and healthy film industry. By fostering a collaborative environment, the NFVCB hopes to create a film industry that is both innovative and mindful of its social responsibilities.”
The NFVCB’s vision for a healthier screen is not just about regulation but about inspiring a new era of filmmaking that is both socially conscious and creatively vibrant, according to Husseini. The NFVCB has vowed to support filmmakers in their artistic endeavours while ensuring that their work promotes positive values and contributes to the overall well-being of society.