Nollywood Crackdown: Government Bans Money Rituals and Vices in Films
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a ban on the depiction of money rituals and other vices in Nollywood films.
The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) CEO, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, has announced that the Federal Government has given the green light to ban the depiction of money rituals and the glorification of vices in Nigerian movies, effective immediately.
According to a statement released by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), the ban is part of a broader effort to regulate the content of Nollywood films and ensure that they promote “values that are uplifting and edifying to the human spirit.”
The ban specifically prohibits the depiction of:
- Money rituals and other forms of occultism
- Violence, including sexual violence and gratuitous bloodshed
- Drug abuse and trafficking
- Terrorism and extremism
- Hate speech and discrimination
The NFVCB has warned that any film found to violate these guidelines will be rejected and withdrawn from circulation. The board has also threatened to sanction producers and filmmakers who flout the rules.
This move has sparked a mixed reaction in the Nollywood community, with some filmmakers welcoming the ban as a necessary measure to promote a more positive image of Nigeria, while others have criticized it as an attack on creative freedom.
Supporters of the ban argue that Nollywood films have a significant influence on Nigerian culture and society, and that the depiction of money rituals and other vices can have a negative impact on young people and vulnerable audiences.
Critics of the ban, on the other hand, argue that it is an overreach by the government and an attempt to stifle creative expression. They point out that Nollywood films are a reflection of the society we live in, and that the ban will only drive filmmakers underground, leading to a proliferation of unregulated and unmonitored content.
The ban has also raised questions about the role of government in regulating artistic expression and the limits of creative freedom. While the government has a responsibility to protect its citizens from harmful content, it must also balance this with the need to preserve artistic freedom and the right to expression.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the ban will be enforced and what impact it will have on the Nollywood industry. One thing is certain, however - the Nigerian government has sent a clear message that it will no longer tolerate the depiction of money rituals and other vices in Nollywood films.
Husseini declared that Nigeria's education system is facing an unprecedented emergency, demanding courageous and visionary responses from all parties involved - parents, guardians, and stakeholders alike.
“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 glamorising 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 the 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 Product Promotion and Glamorisation display in Movies, Musical Videos and Skits Regulations 2024’.
“We have also forwarded the approved copy to the Federal Ministry of Justice for Gazette,” he said.
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