Releasing skits, music videos without NFVCB classification is a criminal offence – FG warns

The National Films and Videos Censors Board, NFVCB, has warned that creatives who release music videos, skits and films without its classification are committing an offence.

The NFVCB’s classification system assigns age ratings and content advisories to audiovisual content, aiding families in making informed viewing choices and protecting children from unsuitable material.

Director General of the Board, Shaibu Husseini said; “It is also an offence to distribute or exhibit any film or video content, musical videos and skits on any platform without recourse to the National Film and Video Censors Board for classification.

“We are collaborating with relevant security agencies to track any individuals and production companies involved to make sure they face the full wrath of the law”.

Also, he announced that NFVCB is against the promotion and distribution of same sex content on the internet as it is was illegal to publicly exhibit such in Nigeria.

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Few weeks ago, the executive director had said that contrary to widespread reports, NFVCB did not ban money rituals and smoking scenes in home videos.

Speaking at a media parley on Friday, Husseini clarified; “What I mentioned in a speech that I have shared here is the existence of a regulation (NFVCB Regulations 2024) that, in line with global best practices, prohibits the Promotion and glamourisation of Money Ritual, Ritual Killing, Tobacco, Tobacco product, Nicotine products in movies, musical videos and skits.

The regulation aims at discouraging the ‘unnecessary’ depiction, promotion, advertisement, or glamourisation of tobacco or nicotine products in movies, musical videos, and skits.

The regulation demands the display of a health warning for necessary smoking scenes that are required for historical accuracy or educational purposes and to depict a negative lifestyle in movies, musical videos, and skits. The required health warning shall be displayed at the commencement of the work and the end.

“Any movie, skit, or musical video that displays or depicts tobacco or nicotine products, brands, or use that is necessary to the realisation of a narrative shall be given the appropriate classification (rating) and shall not be shown to persons below the age of 18. So there is no truth in the ‘headlines’ (that went viral).”