The Kano State Censorship Board has ordered immediate suspension of the airing and online streaming of 22 popular Hausa film series due to violations of censorship standards.
After stakeholder talks and a management meeting, this was revealed in a statement released on Monday, May 19, 2025.
According to the Board, the impacted productions were made available without going through the required pre-release censorship procedure.
Abba El-Mustapha, the Board’s executive secretary, authorised the suspension when it was discovered that the videos were made and released completely outside of any legal requirements.
According to the Board’s Information Officer, Abdullahi Sulaiman, “the suspended titles failed to comply with requirements mandating all films to be submitted for approval before being produced, marketed, streamed, or broadcast.”
Among the suspended titles are some of the most widely followed in Northern Nigeria’s entertainment space, including Dakin Amarya, Labarina, Gwarwashi, Dadin Kowa, Gidan Sarauta, and Manyan Mata.
Other titles affected include Mashahuri, Wasiyya, Tawakkaltu, Mijina, Wani Zamani, Mallaka, Kudin Ruwa, Boka Ko Malam, Wayasan Gobe, Rana Dubu, Fatake, Jamilun Jiddan, Shahadar Nabila, Tabarmar, Kishiyata, and Rigar Aro.
“All producers and owners of these films must stop airing or streaming their content immediately and are required to submit their productions to the Board for censorship between Monday, May 19, and Sunday, May 25, 2025,” the statement warned.
It added that failure to comply with the directive within the stipulated window would attract legal consequences.
The Board also urged media outlets and regulatory agencies to support the enforcement of censorship guidelines.
“We are calling on television stations and the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to support our efforts in ensuring compliance with censorship laws and promoting professionalism in the Kannywood industry,” the statement read.
The move is seen as part of the state government’s renewed efforts to sanitize the Kannywood industry and enforce discipline among content creators.
The affected films, widely viewed on local channels and social media platforms, have sparked public discourse on the role of regulation versus creative freedom.
The Board reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining moral standards and cultural values in Hausa-language content production.