The Kano State Censorship Board has suspended airing of 22 popular Hausa series films for allegedly violating its regulatory guidelines.
The board said the move is to ensure strict adherence to regulations and uphold professionalism within the Hausa film industry, popularly known as Kannywood.
The directive was given late Sunday by the Executive Secretary of the board, Abba El-Mustapha, following a management meeting and due consultation, according to a statement by the board’s Information Officer, Abdullahi Sani Sulaiman.
The affected film series are: Labarina, Gidan Sarauta, Dakin Amarya, Mashahuri, Wasiyya, Tawakkaltu, Mijina, Wani Zamani, Mallaka, Kudin Ruwa, Boka Ko Malam, Wayasan Gobe, Rana Dubu, Manyan Mata, Fatake, Gwarwashi, Jamilun Jiddan, Shahadar Nabila, Dadin Kowa, Tabarma, Kishiyata and Rigar Aro.
The statement said the law empowers the board to censor all films intended for production, marketing, streaming, or broadcasting before they are released, and to regulate all related stakeholders both within and outside Kano State.
“All producers or owners of the suspended films are hereby instructed to cease streaming or airing their content on television or the internet and to submit their productions to the board for censorship approval within one week, starting from Monday, 19th May 2025 to 25th May, 2025, to avoid legal consequences,” the statement added.
Following the changing business model of the film industry which saw dwindling returns over the years, virtually all Kannywood filmmakers have now migrated to producing series films to stay afloat.
The films are mostly uploaded on YouTube and some television stations. (Daily Trust)
