The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has presented Nigeria’s groundbreaking regulation on the glamourisation of tobacco at the recently concluded World Tobacco Conference in Dublin, Ireland.
The global event held from June 24 to 27, brought together stakeholders from across the world to discuss policies and strategies in combating tobacco use and promotion.
At the conference, the executive director of the NFVCB, Shaibu Husseini, presented a status report on the implementation of the “2024 Regulation on the Control of the Promotion and Glamourisation of Tobacco, Narcotics, Ritual Killings and Money Rituals in Nigerian films,” music videos and skits.
The regulation, approved and gazetted earlier in 2024 under the leadership of the minister of arts, culture and creative economy, Barrister Hannatu Musawa, was hailed as a groundbreaking policy initiative.
Nigeria was recognised at the conference as the first country in Africa to develop and enforce such a bold regulation targeting the harmful portrayal of substance abuse and ritualistic practices in screen content.
According to Dr Husseini, the Board’s presentation highlighted the regulation’s objectives, the stakeholder engagement process that led to its adoption and the enforcement mechanisms already in place.
He said the global audience responded with commendations for the Nigerian government, especially Minister Musawa, for what was described as a “courageous and visionary move to protect public health and preserve cultural values.”
“One of the major outcomes of the conference was the various pledge by a number of international organizations, to assist Nigeria in the continued implementation of the regulation,” Husseini said.
He added that the support to be delivered through their local partner CAPPA (Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa) will include logistical and technical assistance to enhance compliance and awareness.
“The recognition received at the World Tobacco Conference is a direct result of the Honourable Minister’s unwavering commitment to responsible cultural governance and public safety,” he stated.
Husseini reaffirmed that the NFVCB remains committed to enforcing the regulation and working with both local and international partners to ensure the Nigerian creative space is not used to promote harmful behaviour or ideologies.
The World Tobacco Conference, organised by the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, also featured discussions on curbing tobacco marketing, regulation of digital content and global industry accountability.
Nigeria’s presentation added to its growing influence in promoting responsible storytelling and safeguarding cultural values across Africa.
