Prominent figures in Nigeria's entertainment sector have voiced their concerns regarding the Federal Government's recent decision to impose restrictions on certain content in films, music videos, and skits.

Kanayo O. Kanayo, an esteemed actor, has criticized the move, labeling it as "sensible nonsense." He questions the rationale behind the Minister of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa's approval of these limitations on filmmakers.

The government, represented by Dr. Shaibu Husseini, the Executive Director/CEO of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), announced on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, the ban on the depiction and promotion of money rituals, ritual killings, and tobacco products in entertainment content, citing Section 65 of the NFVCB Act 2004.

This declaration was made during a National Stakeholders Engagement on Smoke-Free Nollywood event, organized in Enugu in collaboration with Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA).

Mike Okri, a veteran musician, also expressed skepticism about the government's intentions, suggesting that the ban could be an attempt to suppress the film industry. He urged the government to address more pressing national issues.

Dr. Husseini emphasized the importance of the film industry's advancement and the necessity for entertainment media to avoid showcasing harmful behaviors and substances. Following extensive discussions, the NFVCB, in partnership with CAPPA, has initiated Subsidiary Regulations specifically targeting smoking in movies, a detail not explicitly covered in the current legislation.

Dr. Husseini concluded by highlighting the urgent need for decisive and collective action to safeguard the industry's integrity and the well-being of society.