Govt responds to calls for ban on Nancy Isime’s niqab film

Nigerian Govt reacts to calls for banning a film featuring Nancy Isime in a niqab. Get the latest updates on this controversial issue.

In response to demands for the prohibition of actress Nancy Isime’s controversial film, the Nigerian Government has taken action through its National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB).

According to OBASANJONEWS24, Isime was featured in a popular poster for an unreleased film depicting her wearing a niqab during a robbery scene.

The niqab is a full-length attire that Muslim women wear to conceal their entire body and face, leaving only the eyes visible.

Despite this, the poster sparked a wave of online condemnations with numerous Muslims, including the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), urging NFVCB to prohibit the film due to its alleged satanic nature.

In response to the requests made, on Friday the NFVCB acknowledged that the movie is currently being produced and has not yet been presented for evaluation.

An upcoming Nigerian movie, which has associated the Hijab with negative moral vices, is currently receiving complaints from The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Nigeria’s regulatory body for film and video works as well as their exhibition and distribution. The Hijab is an outfit attributed to Muslim women that symbolizes modesty and religious devotion.

According to our investigation, the movie remains unreleased and hasn’t undergone necessary classification as required by law and our mandate.

Nevertheless, we have successfully contacted the film producers and implemented measures to resolve the issues brought up with them.

As a classification agency, we affirm that we will thoroughly scrutinize all forms of films and video productions, comprising skits which use religion, culture or ethnicity in an abusive manner aimed at belittling or weakening integral beliefs.

The agency stated that they are dedicated to promoting a positive change in Nigerian society by categorizing video and film productions, while also ensuring the preservation of freedom of speech within legal boundaries. They aim to curtail any cultural, social or religious damage caused by these forms of media as well.