The Federal Government has taken a step towards sanitizing the film industry with the approval of a new regulation prohibiting the display of money rituals, ritual killings, tobacco, and nicotine products in movies, musical videos, and skits.
Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy approved the regulation pursuant to section 65 of the NFVCB Act 2004.
The regulation, titled “Prohibition of Money Ritual, Ritual Killing, Tobacco, Tobacco Products, Nicotine Product Promotion and Glamorization Display in Movies, Musical Videos and Skits Regulations 2024,” aims to promote a safer and more responsible film industry.
According to the Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), the regulation is a result of collaborative efforts with stakeholders, including the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), to address the need for subsidiary legislation to curtail the display of smoking in Nigerian movies.
The NFVCB added that it has forwarded the approved copy to the Federal Ministry of Justice for gazetting and is seeking the collaboration of industry stakeholders to develop creative content that discourages smoking and promotes positive health messages.
According to it, the Board is committed to taking leadership in this regard and has planned innovative ways to achieve its mandate.
