NFVCB Responds to Calls for Ban On Nancy Isime’s Film Depicting Niqab in Robbery Scene

The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has addressed the growing calls for the ban of a controversial film featuring notable actress Nancy Isime.

Recently, a viral poster for a forthcoming movie depicted Isime wearing a niqab and hijab – traditional Muslim attire – in a robbery scene.

This imagery has sparked significant backlash from the Muslim community, with the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) labeling the film “satanic” and urging the NFVCB to prohibit its release.

In a statement released on Friday, the NFVCB clarified that the film in question is still in production and has not yet been submitted for their assessment.

NFVCB Statement on Calls for Ban of Nancy Isime’s Movie:

“The National Film and Video Censors Board, NFVCB, the statutory regulatory agency for film and video works as well as exhibition and distribution in Nigeria, has received complaints about an upcoming Nigerian movie that associates the Hijab, an outfit attributed to Muslim women that symbolizes modesty and religious devotion, with negative moral vices.

Our check revealed that the movie has not been released and it has not been submitted for classification as required by law and our mandate.

However, we have been able to reach the producers of the film and have taken steps to address the concerns raised with the producers.

We restate that as a classification agency, we will not overlook any movie or video works, including skits, that abuse, denigrate, or undermine religious, cultural, and ethnic sensibilities.

We commit to contributing to the positive transformation of Nigerian society through the classification of video and film works whilst balancing the need to preserve freedom of expression within the law and limit cultural, social, and religious harm caused by films.”