Nigeria’s Government Bans ‘Money Rituals’ Movies

The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken a decisive step to prohibit the portrayal of money rituals and glamorization of vices in Nigerian films.

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This announcement was made by Nigeria’s National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) during a National Stakeholders Engagement on Smoke-Free Nollywood held in Enugu State on May 22.

Key stakeholders from the Nigerian film industry, including movie producers, directors, and actors, as well as leaders of various guilds and associations, were present at the event. Dr. Shaibu Husseini, Executive Director/CEO of NFVCB, emphasized the urgent need for bold actions to address the challenges facing the industry.

Dr. Husseini stated, “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.” He further explained that the regulation aims to sanitize the film industry by prohibiting the depiction of money rituals, ritual killings, and the glamorization of other crimes.

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The Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has approved the “Prohibition of Money Ritual, Ritual Killing, Tobacco, Tobacco Products, Nicotine Product Promotion, and Glamorization display in Movies, Musical Videos, and Skits” Regulations 2024. The NFVCB has forwarded the approved regulation to the Federal Ministry of Justice for Gazette.

Dr. Husseini highlighted the negative influence of glamorizing smoking in films on teenagers and young adults, who constitute the largest segment of Nigerian movie viewers. The NFVCB plans to implement detailed enlightenment programs in schools, communities, and faith groups to raise awareness about the regulation and promote positive health messages.

The NFVCB, in collaboration with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, has taken proactive steps to regulate smoking in movies. Dr. Husseini emphasized the board’s commitment to supporting smoke-free movies and Nollywood, calling for collaboration from stakeholders to develop creative content that discourages smoking and promotes positive.