Government’s Ban on Smoking and Ritual Scenes in Movies Sparks Controversy.

The decision by the Federal Government to crack down on the promotion of money rituals, ritualistic killings, smoking, and the glorification of such negative acts in Nigerian films has sparked a range of reactions among the public.

During a recent national stakeholders’ meeting on the promotion of smoke-free content in Nollywood held in Enugu, the Executive Director/CEO of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr. Shaibu Husseini, clearly outlined the government’s stance.

The gathering, organized by NFVCB in collaboration with Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), convened filmmakers, directors, and actors from various parts of Nigeria under one roof. Additionally, key figures from different guilds and associations within the Nigerian film industry were in attendance.

Husseini stressed the urgent need to address the normalization of smoking, ritualistic practices, and violence in Nigerian movies, labeling it as a critical issue that demands decisive and resolute action from parents, guardians, and all stakeholders involved in the industry.

He said:


“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 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 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 products promotion, and glamorisation display of crimes in movies, musical videos and skits regulations 2024. We have also forwarded the approved copy to the Federal Ministry of Justice for official gazette.”