The Federal Government has approved a ban on money rituals and the glamorization of vices in Nigerian films.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Shaibu Husseini, the Executive Director and CEO of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), announced this during a National Stakeholders Engagement on Smoke-Free Nollywood in Enugu on Wednesday.

The event, organized by the NFVCB and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, brought together movie producers, directors, actors from various parts of the country, and leaders of different guilds and associations in the Nigerian film industry.

Husseini explained that the program aimed to educate stakeholders on the dangers of smoking depicted in Nigerian movies. He emphasized that glamorizing smoking in films negatively influences teenagers and young adults, who make up the largest segment of the Nigerian movie audience, beyond the health risks involved.

He stated that the NFVCB is set to launch comprehensive awareness campaigns in secondary schools, tertiary institutions, local communities, faith groups, and other institutions.

"The film industry holds a pivotal role in the entertainment and creative sectors, and we must prioritize its progress. The NFVCB supports smoke-free movies and a smoke-free Nollywood, and we seek your collaboration to create content that discourages smoking and promotes positive health messages," Husseini said.

"Following extensive discussions, the NFVCB, in collaboration with CAPPA, decided to implement 'subsidiary regulations' to address smoking in movies, as this issue was not explicitly covered in the current law. The NFVCB is ready to lead this initiative and has begun implementing innovative strategies to fulfill its mandate," he added.

NAN also reports that the Board is required to register all film and video outlets nationwide and maintain a register of these outlets, among other responsibilities.