By Seun Ibiyemi
The National Film and Video Censors Board has received the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General’s Special Award for leadership in tobacco control advocacy and responsible entertainment media regulation in Nigeria.
The recognition, presented by the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, honoured the board’s efforts in regulating the depiction and promotion of tobacco and nicotine products in Nigerian films, music videos, skits and other audiovisual productions.
The NFVCB emerged as the only institution among the five African Region recipients unveiled ahead of the 2026 World No Tobacco Day commemoration scheduled for May 31.
According to the statement, the WHO recognition followed the board’s landmark 2024 regulations prohibiting the promotion and glamourisation of tobacco and nicotine products in entertainment content accessible to young audiences.
Under the regulations, any necessary depiction of tobacco use in films or videos must carry health warnings, receive the highest classification rating and remain restricted to viewers aged 18 years and above.
The guidelines also require producers to include disclaimers and disclose any relationship with the tobacco or nicotine industry, while banning tobacco brand displays and product placement in entertainment content.
The policy aligns with Article 13 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), which addresses tobacco depiction in entertainment media.
With the introduction of the regulations, Nigeria became the first African country and only the second globally to establish comprehensive safeguards against the glamorisation of tobacco use on screen.
Research and guidance from the World Health Organization have consistently shown that tobacco portrayal in entertainment media increases the likelihood of smoking among young people by normalising the habit.
The recognition also aligns with the eight-point agenda of the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, aimed at strengthening policy frameworks, promoting responsible creative content and positioning Nigeria as Africa’s creative capital by 2030.
Reacting to the award, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Film and Video Censors Board, Shaibu Husseini, described the honour as a validation of the board’s commitment to responsible storytelling and public health protection.
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“This award is a validation of the work we have done with the Nigerian creative industry to promote responsible storytelling. 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,” Husseini stated.
He reaffirmed the board’s commitment to strengthening enforcement of the regulations, expanding public awareness and deepening collaboration with global and local stakeholders.
Husseini also appreciated the support of the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, filmmakers, producers and advocacy groups including Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, National Tobacco Control Alliance and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids for advancing tobacco control advocacy in Nigeria.
