In a move to curb the influence of negative behaviours depicted in entertainment, the Federal Government has announced new regulations prohibiting the depiction of smoking, ritual killings, and money rituals in Nigerian movies, music videos, and skits.
In a press release signed by Robert Egbe, Media and Communications Officer, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA). The Executive Director National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr Shaibu Husseini, disclosed this in Enugu at a National Stakeholders’ Engagement on the “Smoke-Free Nollywood” campaign organised in collaboration with CAPPA.
Dr Husseini, highlighted the urgency of addressing these issues within the film industry, describing the situation as an “industry emergency requiring bold and ambitious actions” from all stakeholders, including parents and guardians.
“After a series of engagements, the NFVCB, in collaboration with Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), decided to make Subsidiary Regulations to address smoking in movies since this aspect was not expressly spelt out in the extant Law,” He stated.
Dr Husseini further announced the approval of the “Prohibition of Money Ritual, Ritual Killing, Tobacco, Tobacco Product, Nicotine Product Promotion, Glamorization, Display in Movies, Musical Videos and Skits” Regulations 2024 by the Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa. This regulation has been forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Justice for Gazette.
The campaign aims to completely eradicate smoking in movies and skits, with the NFVCB committing to work closely with industry stakeholders to achieve a smoke-free Nollywood.
Dr Husseini pointed out the tactics employed by the tobacco industry to promote smoking under the guise of entertainment and assured that the government is prepared to counter these influences.
Participants at the engagement, include notable filmmakers and industry leaders such as Zeb Ejiro, Fred Amata, Segun Arinze, Bolaji Amusan, and The Aneke Twins, who signed a pledge to support a pro-health Nollywood. They were joined by leaders of various guilds and associations within the Nigerian film industry.
The Executive Director of CAPPA, Mr Akinbode Oluwafemi, emphasized the importance of creating a smoke-free environment for future generations, citing studies that show the prevalence of smoking in Nigerian movies despite existing regulations.
Mr Oluwafemi urged the industry to leverage its influence to promote healthy lifestyles and combat the glamorization of smoking.
Dr Ali Nuhu, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), backed the initiative, highlighting the health risks faced by youths influenced by smoking depictions in media.
Dr Nuhu who was represented by Mr Brian Etuk, Director of Public Affairs NFC, called for the power of film to be harnessed to promote public health and prevent smoking-related health issues.
Enugu State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke, and Olawale Makanjuola, Alliance Coordinator for Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance, also expressed their support for the initiative, recognizing the significant impact Nollywood has on public behaviour and the importance of promoting health-conscious content.