Nigerian gov’t weighs in on film featuring Nancy Isime in Niqab amid backlash

The Nigerian Government, via the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), has addressed the growing calls for a ban on a controversial film featuring actress Nancy Isime. 

News360 Nigeria reports that the uproar began when a viral poster of the yet-to-be-released movie surfaced online, showcasing Isime in a niqab during a robbery scene. The imagery sparked significant debate and concern among various groups, prompting many to demand that the film be prohibited from screening.

Niqab is a long garment worn by some Muslim women to cover the entire body and face, excluding only the eyes.

The poster, however, provoked a chorus of condemnations online, with many Muslims including the Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, calling on the NFVCB to ban the film, which it described as satanic.

Reacting to the calls in a statement on Friday, the NFVCB noted that the film is still in production and has not been submitted for classification.

“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, have received complaints about an upcoming Nigerian movie that associated 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 positive transformation of the Nigerian society through 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,” the agency said.