Kano censorship board shuts 8 event centres over violations

The Kano State Film and Video Censorship Board has revoked the licences of eight entertainment centres across the state, citing violations of cultural, religious, and moral standards.

Announcing the decision on Wednesday, the Board’s Executive Secretary, Abba El-Mustapha, stated that the centres have been indefinitely banned as part of efforts to cleanse the state’s entertainment industry and enforce compliance with established societal norms.

“This action reflects our commitment to ensuring that Kano’s entertainment industry operates within the boundaries of our laws and moral standards,” El-Mustapha said.

According to the board, the affected centres repeatedly breached operational guidelines, prompting their proscription.

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The banned centres are: Hamdala Entertainment – Ungoggo, Lady J Entertainment – Sanya Olu, Dan Hausa Entertainment – Sanya Olu, Ni’ima Entertainment – Zungeru, Ariya Entertainment – Abedi Sabon Gari, Babbangida Entertainment – Balatus, Harsashi Entertainment – Ebedi Sabon Gari, and Wazobiya Entertainment – Sanya Olu.

The board alleged that these centres engaged in activities deemed inappropriate, such as hosting late-night events, showcasing indecent content, and operating without proper approvals.

El-Mustapha warned that any attempt to rebrand or resume operations under different names would attract legal consequences. “Our monitoring teams are vigilant. Any individual or group caught attempting to bypass this ban will be arrested and prosecuted,” he said.

This move comes shortly after the board suspended several Hausa drama series aired on YouTube and local TV stations over similar allegations of indecency and lack of censorship clearance.

El-Mustapha stressed that the board’s actions are not intended to suppress creativity but to ensure that entertainment content aligns with Kano’s values.

He urged industry stakeholders to collaborate with the board in producing culturally respectful content.

“We are open to dialogue and committed to supporting content creators who follow our guidelines,” he said.

“Our goal is to strike a balance between artistic expression and respect for our traditions.”