Nigeria Becomes First African Country To Regulate Media Portrayal Of Tobacco, Money Rituals

Nigeria has become the first African country to formally regulate the portrayal of tobacco use, money rituals, and narcotics in media content, according to a statement by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB).

The announcement was made following the board’s presentation at the 2025 World Tobacco Conference held in Ireland, where the country’s new policy was praised as a bold and visionary step toward safeguarding public health and cultural values.

The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), which positioned Nigeria as a trailblazer in African media regulation, said the regulation targets the control of the promotion and glamourisation of tobacco, narcotics, ritual killings, and money rituals.

The regulation, a first of its kind in Africa, was lauded as a bold step toward safeguarding public health and preserving cultural values.

At the world conference, the executive director of the NFVCB, Shaibu Husseini, delivered a status report detailing the regulation’s objectives, stakeholder engagement process, and enforcement mechanisms.

The policy, which was approved and gazetted in 2024 under the leadership of the Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, targets harmful portrayals in Nigerian films, music videos, and skits.

The conference recognised Nigeria as the first African nation to implement such a comprehensive measure, with attendees commending Mrs Musawa’s leadership as “a courageous and visionary move to protect public health and preserve cultural values.”

One significant outcome of the conference was the various pledges by several international organisations to assist Nigeria in continuing to implement the regulation.

The support is expected to be delivered through their local partner, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), and will include logistical and technical assistance to enhance compliance and awareness.