The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) once again placed Nigeria at the forefront of progressive media regulation in Africa, with its presentation at the recently concluded World Tobacco Conference held in Ireland.
The NFVCB showcased Nigeria’s pioneering 2024 Regulation on the Control of the Promotion and Glamourisation of Tobacco, Narcotics, Ritual Killings and Money Rituals in media at the conference. The groundbreaking policy, approved earlier this year, positions Nigeria as the first African nation to enforce such comprehensive controls on harmful portrayals in films, music videos, and skits.
According to a statement, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, NFVCB Executive Director/CEO, presented the regulation’s objectives, stakeholder engagement, and enforcement mechanisms. The global audience lauded Nigeria’s government and the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, for this “courageous and visionary move to protect public health and preserve cultural values.”
The conference concluded with international organisations pledging support to Nigeria, via local partner CAPPA (Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa), to aid in the regulation’s continued implementation through logistical and technical assistance.
Dr. Husseini attributed the international recognition to Minister Musawa’s “unwavering commitment to responsible cultural governance and public safety.”
The NFVCB remains dedicated to enforcing the regulation and collaborating with partners to ensure Nigeria’s creative industry promotes positive values.