The Federal Government’s recent move to enforce a prohibition on smoking, money rituals, and ritual killings in Nigerian films has sparked a contentious debate within the Nollywood community.

The announcement, made by Dr. Shaibu Husseini, Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), aims to curtail the glamorization of such acts in movies, musical videos, and skits, under a new regulation approved by the Minister of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa.

During a national stakeholders’ engagement on smoke-free Nollywood in Enugu, Dr. Husseini emphasized that the regulation seeks to discourage harmful content and promote positive values, particularly for teens and young adults who form a significant portion of the Nigerian movie audience.

The NFVCB plans to implement extensive educational programs across schools, communities, and faith-based groups to highlight the dangers of smoking and the negative influence of ritualistic scenes.

However, the policy has received mixed reactions from industry stakeholders. Veteran actor Bob Manuel Udokwu supports the government’s move, explaining that it is not an outright ban but a measure to prevent inadvertent promotion of smoking and ritual acts. He believes that filmmakers can still depict such scenes when necessary for storytelling, such as in documentaries or true-life stories.

Conversely, actress Jennifer Obodo criticises the government for focusing on Nollywood instead of addressing pressing national issues like high fuel prices, food shortages, and poor infrastructure.

She argues that movies are a form of storytelling and that banning these elements does not address the root of the problem, suggesting that the government should instead regulate cigarette production and sales.

Ngozi Eze Evuka, another actress, argues against the ban, stating that movies educate and entertain rather than corrupt viewers. She fears that banning smoking and ritual scenes could lead to further restrictions on other narrative elements in Nollywood, such as sexual acts and depictions of traditional practices.

Nollywood producer Nnaemeka Charles Eze (Nani Boi) also opposes the ban, suggesting it distracts from more critical national issues and could stifle creative expression. He proposes that an oversight body should ensure films meet ethical standards without compromising artistic freedom.

Despite the opposition, some, like Nelson Bright, view the ban positively, linking it to broader efforts to combat human trafficking and illegal organ harvesting. Nonetheless, he acknowledges that such restrictions could limit personal liberty and drive filmmakers away from the Nigerian cinema industry, potentially impacting its international recognition and profitability.

Don Sylvester Nweke, CEO of Don Sylvester Records, believes the ban is unnecessary and suggests that films should instead depict the negative consequences of smoking and rituals to educate viewers. He argues that censorship should focus on ensuring films convey moral lessons rather than outright banning content.

Maxi Okwu, former National Chairman of APGA, raises constitutional concerns, emphasizing the need to protect fundamental rights to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. He warns that the ban might infringe on these rights and suggests that any law limiting such freedoms would require constitutional amendments.

As Nollywood grapples with this contentious regulation, the debate underscores the delicate balance between artistic freedom and social responsibility in the film industry.