I didn’t pronounce ban on smoking and ritual scenes in movies – Shaibu Husseini clears air

The Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Shaibu Husseini, has refuted claims that he declared the approval of the prohibition of money rituals and smoking in Nigerian films by the Federal Government.

Various media outlets reported that Husseini made this statement during a national stakeholders engagement on smoke-free Nollywood in Enugu.

The event, which was organized by the NFVCB and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), was attended by movie producers, directors, actors, and leaders of different guilds and associations in the Nigerian film industry.

However, Husseini clarified his position in a statement released on social media on Thursday.

“I did NOT announce a ban on ‘smoking, or smoking, and ritual scenes in movies’ at the (southeast zone) stakeholders engagement on a healthy screen and the campaign to have a smoke free Nollywood which held in Enugu in collaboration with @CAPPAfrica. No, I did NOT.

“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.”

Husseini assured that the NFVCB would not implement any policy that will muzzle creativity. He added:

“Any movie, skit, or musical video that displays or depicts tobacco or nicotine products, brands, or use that is necessary to the realization of a narrative shall be given the appropriate classification (rating) and shall not be shown to persons below the age of 18.”