The Kano State Censorship Board has suspended 22 Hausa film series, including widely-watched titles like Labarina and Dadin Kowa, for allegedly violating censorship laws.
The suspension, which took immediate effect, was announced by the Executive Secretary of the Board, Abba El-Mustapha, following a management meeting held earlier this week.
According to the Board’s Information Officer, Abdullahi Sani Sulaiman, the affected series were released or aired without undergoing the mandatory censorship procedures required by law.
“The Board has suspended 22 Hausa film series for violating our guidelines, which require that all films be submitted for censorship before public release,” Sulaiman said in a statement.
The full list of suspended series includes Dakin Amarya, Mashahuri, Gidan Sarauta, Wasiyya, Tawakkaltu, Mijina, Wani Zamani, Labarina, Mallaka, Kudin Ruwa, Boka Ko Malam, Wayasan Gobe, Rana Dubu, Manyan Mata, Fatake, Gwarwashi, Jamilun Jiddan, Shahadar Nabila, Dadin Kowa, Tabarmar, Kishiyata, and Rigar Aro.
The Censorship Board emphasized that its legal mandate empowers it to regulate all films intended for production, marketing, streaming, or broadcasting within and outside Kano State.
“The law empowers the Board to censor all films intended for production, marketing, streaming, or broadcasting, and to regulate all relevant stakeholders within and outside Kano State,” Sulaiman explained.
Producers of the affected series have been given a one-week deadline to submit their works to the board for proper review and approval.
“Producers are instructed to cease airing or streaming their content on television or online platforms, and are expected to submit their productions for censorship approval from Monday, 19th May 2025, to Sunday, 25th May 2025,” he added.
He further warned that failure to comply within the stipulated window would attract legal consequences.
The Board also called on the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), television stations, and online streaming platforms to support its enforcement efforts and ensure that only approved content is distributed to the public.
