The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) urged Nollywood stakeholders on Tuesday to ensure that films, music videos, and other content avoid depicting and glamorizing harmful substances like tobacco, criminal acts, and rituals.
NFVCB Executive Director Dr. Shaibu Husseini made this call at the National Stakeholders’ Engagement on Smoke-Free Nollywood in Enugu. He praised the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) for organizing the event as part of its social responsibility efforts in Nigeria’s creative industry.
Husseini emphasized the film industry’s importance in entertainment and creativity, stating, “We must prioritize the film industry’s progress.” He warned of an “industry emergency” that demands urgent actions from parents, guardians, and stakeholders.
He encouraged public and private sector stakeholders to use the gathering as a platform to form strategic partnerships, mobilize funding, and create innovative ways to educate and sensitize the public against harmful content.
Earlier, CAPPA Executive Director Akinbode Oluwafemi highlighted the need for a Smoke-Free Nollywood. He urged stakeholders to stop promoting smoking and instead encourage healthy lifestyles. Oluwafemi pointed out that studies show smoking is still common in Nigerian movies, violating the NTC-Act and the Tobacco Control Regulations 2019, which ban tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorships in entertainment.
He praised Dr. Husseini for initiating discussions with industry stakeholders to eliminate the unhealthy promotion of smoking in Nigerian films.
