The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has been honoured with the World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General’s Special Award for the African Region.
The Board received a Certificate of Appreciation for its outstanding contributions to tobacco control advocacy and the promotion of responsible media content in Nigeria.
Notably, the NFVCB is the only institution among the five African regional winners unveiled ahead of World No Tobacco Day on May 31.
The global honour, awarded by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, recognises the NFVCB’s leadership in regulating the depiction and promotion of tobacco and nicotine products in Nigerian films, music videos, skits, and other audiovisual content.
A Historic Milestone for African Cinema
The award highlights the NFVCB’s landmark 2024 regulations, which prohibit the glamorization of tobacco and nicotine products in entertainment. Under these guidelines:
Any necessary depiction of tobacco use must carry explicit health warnings.
Content featuring tobacco use receives the highest classification rating, restricting it to audiences aged 18 and above.
Producers must place disclaimers and disclose any financial relationships with the tobacco industry.
Tobacco brand displays and product placements are strictly prohibited.
With these regulations, Nigeria became the first country in Africa—and only the second globally—to establish such comprehensive safeguards against on-screen tobacco glamorization, aligning directly with Article 13 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).
Protecting Nigerian Youths
Research from the WHO consistently shows that portraying tobacco use in entertainment normalizes smoking and increases uptake among young people.
By enforcing clear regulatory standards, the NFVCB is actively reducing youth exposure to pro-tobacco imagery.
This milestone also aligns with the 8-Point Agenda of the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, which aims to preserve cultural values and position Nigeria as Africa’s creative capital by 2030.
“Art Without Harm” — NFVCB Leadership Responds
Speaking on the recognition, the Executive Director and CEO of the NFVCB, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, described the award as a major validation of the Board’s mission.
“The goal has never been to censor art, but to ensure that our films do not inadvertently market products that are harmful to public health,” Dr. Husseini stated.
Dr. Husseini reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to protecting children and vulnerable audiences while supporting the global influence of Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
He also expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry, Nigerian filmmakers, and advocacy partners—including Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), the National Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA), and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK).
Moving forward, the NFVCB plans to strengthen regulatory enforcement, expand public education, and deepen its collaboration with the WHO to protect public health through responsible storytelling.
