The National Film and Video Censors Board has received the World Health Organization Director-General’s Special Award for the African Region in recognition of its contributions to tobacco control advocacy and responsible media regulation in Nigeria.
The Board was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation as part of activities marking the 2026 World No Tobacco Day celebration, making it the only institution among the five African Region award recipients announced by the WHO.
The recognition, endorsed by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, highlights the NFVCB’s leadership in regulating the depiction and promotion of tobacco and nicotine products in Nigerian films, music videos, skits, and other audiovisual productions, particularly content accessible to young audiences.
The WHO Director-General’s Awards are presented annually ahead of World No Tobacco Day on May 31 to honour individuals and organisations across the WHO’s six global regions for exceptional contributions to implementing the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
The NFVCB was specifically recognised for its landmark 2024 regulations prohibiting the promotion and glamorisation of tobacco and nicotine products in entertainment content.
Under the regulations, any necessary depiction of tobacco use in films or audiovisual productions must carry health warnings, receive the highest classification rating, and be restricted to viewers aged 18 years and above.
The policy also requires producers to include disclaimers and disclose any relationship with tobacco or nicotine companies while banning tobacco brand displays and product placement in entertainment content.
According to the Board, the regulations align with Article 13 implementation guidelines of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control concerning tobacco depiction in entertainment media.
With the introduction of the policy, Nigeria became the first country in Africa and only the second globally to implement such comprehensive safeguards against the glamorisation of tobacco use in entertainment productions.
Research and WHO guidance have consistently shown that repeated portrayals of tobacco use in entertainment media can normalise smoking behaviour and increase the likelihood of tobacco uptake among young people.
The Board noted that the regulations were designed to reduce exposure to pro-tobacco imagery while promoting socially responsible storytelling within Nigeria’s creative industry.
The recognition also aligns with the Federal Government’s broader creative economy agenda under the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, which aims to strengthen policy frameworks, preserve cultural values, and position Nigeria as Africa’s creative capital by 2030.
Speaking on the award, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NFVCB, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, described the recognition as validation of the Board’s efforts to promote responsible storytelling and protect public health through effective content regulation.
“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,” he said.
Husseini reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to supporting initiatives that protect children and vulnerable audiences while strengthening the positive influence of Nigeria’s entertainment industry globally.
He also appreciated the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, filmmakers, producers, and advocacy organisations for their collaboration in advancing the anti-tobacco policy.
Among the groups acknowledged were Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, the National Tobacco Control Alliance, and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
The NFVCB stated that it would continue to strengthen enforcement of the regulations, expand public education campaigns, and deepen collaboration with the WHO and other stakeholders to promote responsible entertainment content and public health protection.
