Govt denies placing ban on smoking, rituals in films

The Executive Director of the National Films and Video Censors Board, Shaibu Husseini, has clarified that, contrary to popular reports, the Board has not imposed a ban on the depiction of money rituals and smoking scenes in movies and other videos.

Husseini, an experienced journalist and film critic, observed that the Board’s aim was not to suppress creativity, but rather to ensure movies are classified appropriately.

Media reports had stated that Husseini made the pronouncement at a stakeholder engagement event on ‘smoke-free Nollywood’ in Enugu State.

However, in a statement released during the week, he said, “What I mentioned in a speech that I have shared here is the existence of a regulation (NFVCB Regulations 2024) that, in line with global best practices, prohibits the Promotion and glamourisation of Money Ritual, Ritual Killing, Tobacco, Tobacco product, Nicotine products in movies, musical videos and skits.

“The regulation aims at discouraging the ‘unnecessary’ depiction, promotion, advertisement, or glamourisation of tobacco or nicotine products in movies, musical videos, and skits. The regulation demands the display of a health warning for necessary smoking scenes that are required for historical accuracy or educational purposes and to depict a negative lifestyle in movies, musical videos, and skits. The required health warning shall be displayed at the commencement of the work and the end.”

He added, “Any movie, skit, or musical video that displays or depicts tobacco or nicotine products, brands, or use that is necessary to the realisation of a narrative shall be given the appropriate classification (rating) and shall not be shown to persons below the age of 18. So there is no truth in the ‘headlines’ (that went viral).”

Meanwhile, at a media parley held recently in Lagos, Husseini outlined some of his plans for the organisation.

Clarifying his mission at the Board, he said, “Ultimately, I have come with my management staff to make sure that we run a very responsive censorship organisation. One that is responsive to stakeholders, society, and the government that set it up.”

He added that in celebration of the NFVCB’s 30th anniversary, three publications will be released; each one to mark 10 years of the censors board. He added, “This is also because of the cry for data. We have received information from universities, both local and foreign, asking us for films that have been classified and other information. These publications will contain information on all the films that have been classified from 1994 till date.”

Reiterating a shift in focus from ‘censorship’ to ‘classification’, Husseini said, “When I checked all around the world, I discovered that they have moved from censorship to classification. Even in Britain, it is British Board of Classification. In Kenya, it is classification board, the same thing with South Africa. This is why I believe that there is a need for us to move from the regime of censorship to classification. So, I sat with my management and we agreed that it was time for us to move from censorship to classification.”