The Federal Government has authorized the ban on money rituals and the glamorization of vices in Nigerian films, according to Dr. Shaibu Husseini, Executive Director/CEO of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB). This disclosure was made by Dr. Husseini on Wednesday at a National Stakeholders Engagement on Smoke-Free Nollywood in Enugu.
Money rituals have been a recurrent motif in many Nollywood films. These rituals are sometimes portrayed as supernatural practices where people commit horrible deeds to obtain fortune. The glamorization of rapid and immoral ways to get wealth in these portrayals has drawn criticism for having the ability to influence impressionable viewers to follow similar career choices in real life. The government hopes to dissuade the normalization of such risky acts and promote the virtues of integrity and hard work by outlawing such images.
The NFVCB and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) coordinated the event. The gathering included officials of several guilds and associations in the Nigerian film industry, in addition to performers, directors, and producers of motion pictures from all around the nation.
The new rules seek to stop the promotion of damaging and unlawful acts through cinema and to encourage a more moral and responsible film industry in Nigeria.
Husseini said that Nigeria was 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,” he said.
Husseini said the sensitisation programme was to educate stakeholders on the danger inherent in smoking in Nigerian movies.
According to him, besides the health implications, glamorising smoking in films poses a negative influence on teens and young adults who constitute the largest segment of Nigerian 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 smoke-free Nollywood, and we, therefore, seek your collaboration to develop creative content that discourages smoking and promotes positive health messages.
“After a 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 begun implementing innovative ways to achieve its mandate,” he said.
NAN reports that it is the duty of the Board to register all film and video outlets across the country and to keep a register of such registered outlets among other functions.
In addition to being major sources of entertainment, filmmakers also have a big impact on culture and public opinion. Their work has the power to influence people’s attitudes, convictions, and actions. Filmmakers must therefore be conscious of the potential influence of their work and make an effort to produce informative, inspirational, and uplifting material. With its enormous popularity and reach, Nollywood has the ability to set the standard in this area. Nollywood may help create a society that is more moral and responsible by making movies that promote virtues and deter immoral activity.
An important turning point for the Nigerian film industry was the Federal Government’s prohibition on the glamorization of other vices and the portrayal of money rituals in Nollywood productions. The action strikes a balance between control and creative freedom, even as it seeks to uphold moral principles and shield society from negative influences. It is hoped that Nollywood will prosper as the business adapts to these changes, making movies that uplift, inform, and amuse audiences while encouraging a culture of accountability and moral storytelling.
