The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has reiterated that all film and video content must undergo classification by the board before being published. Shaibu Husseini, the Executive Director of NFVCB, made this statement during a discussion on morality and ethics in film production at the Lagos International Film and Cinema Convention (LIFACC).
The event, which took place at EbonyLife Place, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Thursday, attracted notable figures in the industry, including Joke Silva, Alibaba, Keppy Ekpeyong, Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Ogbonna Onwumere, and others.
In his address to film producers, exhibitors, and distributors, Husseini stressed the importance of adhering to legal requirements for film classification and licensing. He emphasized that all film content, including skits, must be reviewed and classified by the NFVCB before being made public.
“The law clearly states that any film or video work intended for use in this country must pass through the censors board for classification before it is released on any platform,” Husseini stated.
He referred to a recent viral video of a woman allegedly tearing her husband’s passport at Lagos airport, later revealed to be a skit, and noted that it had not been classified by the board.
On the issue of smoking in films, Husseini clarified that the prohibition of smoking scenes is not a personal directive but a regulation enforced by the National Tobacco Act. “I didn’t make the law. When I joined the censors board and saw the regulation, I recognized the importance of enforcing it. The promotion of smoking in films is strictly prohibited,” he said.
Husseini also addressed the depiction of rituals in movies, urging filmmakers to exercise caution, especially in scenes that could negatively impact young viewers. He recounted a conversation with the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), who expressed concerns over the glorification of criminal activities such as kidnapping in films.
Husseini echoed these concerns, particularly in light of recent reports of industry practitioners involved in criminal activities.
Regarding the portrayal of same-sex relationships in films, Husseini reaffirmed that such content is not permissible under Nigerian law.
