By By Muminat Ajide
In a bid to enforce stricter content regulations, the Nigerian government has mandated that skit makers must now seek official approval before releasing any content online.
The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has issued a directive warning filmmakers and content creators to comply with censorship laws or face legal consequences.
Led by Shaibu Husseini, the board issued a warning on social media to filmmakers and content creators involved in producing, promoting, and distributing unapproved and prohibited content across various platforms.
“The National Film and Video Censors Board has noted with concern the activities of some filmmakers/content creators who are blatantly disregarding Nigeria’s laws,” the statement began.
The board specifically addressed the production and dissemination of same-sex content on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter, stressing its illegality in Nigeria.
As the regulatory body responsible for censoring and classifying films and videos in Nigeria, the NFVCB emphasized the legal requirement for all film and video content, including skits and music videos, to be classified by the board before distribution or exhibition on any platform.
Referring to the 2014 Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, the board reiterated, “It is illegal to publicly exhibit same-sex relationships in Nigeria, and distributing or exhibiting any film or video content, including skits and music videos, without NFVCB classification is also prohibited.”
In a stern warning to content creators, the NFVCB announced collaboration with security agencies to identify and legally pursue those violating these regulations.
“The Board affirms that we are actively collaborating with relevant security agencies to track down individuals and production companies involved,” the statement concluded.
This move comes amidst growing concerns over the expansion of unapproved content, particularly on social media platforms, highlighting the government’s stance on maintaining regulatory control over digital media.
