The Kano State Censorship Board has suspended 22 Hausa film series for allegedly violating state censorship regulations. The Board stated that these films were released or aired without undergoing the mandatory censorship and approval processes required by law. The suspension, which took immediate effect, was announced by the Executive Secretary of the Board, Abba El-Mustapha, following a management meeting held earlier in the week.
The Board has mandated that all producers or owners of the suspended films cease streaming or airing their content on television or the internet immediately. They are required to submit their productions to the Board for censorship approval within one week, starting from Monday, May 19, 2025, to Sunday, May 25, 2025. Failure to comply within the stipulated timeframe will attract legal consequences.
The Board emphasized that it is legally empowered to censor all films intended for production, marketing, streaming, or broadcasting prior to their release, and to regulate all related stakeholders both within and outside Kano State. The Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), television stations, and online streaming platforms have been called upon to support the Board’s enforcement efforts by ensuring that only approved content is distributed to the public.
This development has significant implications for the Kannywood industry, particularly for producers and streaming platforms like Kallo.ng, which specialize in Hausa-language content. It underscores the importance of adhering to state regulations to avoid disruptions in content distribution and potential legal repercussions.
The suspension of these 22 film series is part of a broader initiative by the Kano State Censorship Board to enforce stricter compliance with cultural and religious norms in media content. In recent years, the Board has taken similar actions, including the suspension of popular Kannywood actress Samha M. Inuwa in January 2025 for alleged indecent dressing and provocative videos, as well as the ban on films depicting thuggery and cross-dressing in April 2024.
