Kano Gov’t Orders Filmmakers, Street Vendors To Halt Traditional Medicine Ads

The Kano State Censorship Board has ordered the suspension of all advertisements of traditional medicine in Hausa films and those aired by street vendors through loudspeakers.

Information Officer of the Board, Abdullahi Sani Sulaiman, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, cited widespread violations of regulatory guidelines for the decision.

According to the statement, the Board observed said most traditional medicine advertisements currently being aired in public on the streets or those embedded in Kannywood films were not submitted for mandatory screening and approval.

The Board insisted said this contravened its guidelines mandating all advertising contents for censorship before public release.

“Therefore, all traditional medicine advertisers, producers, and film owners are hereby instructed to stop airing or streaming any advertisements on television or the internet until they have obtained legal licenses through proper censoring,” Sulaiman maintained.

The Board also issued a one-week deadline, effective from Monday, May 21, 2025 for the submission of all advertisement materials for approval.

It warned that failure to comply with the directive will attract legal consequences.

Sulaiman also urged television stations and the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to support the Board’s efforts to ensure full compliance and to help promote morality and discipline among Kano citizens.