In a sweeping move to protect what is described as Kano’s “cultural, religious, and moral fabric,” the Kano State Film and Video Censorship Board has indefinitely revoked the licences of eight popular entertainment centres across the state.
The Executive Secretary of the board, Abba El-Mustapha, announced the clampdown in a statement on Wednesday, stating that the move was part of a broader campaign to purge the entertainment sector of what the state government considers “unwholesome practices.”
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
– Wazobiya Entertainment – Sanya Olu
“These centres have been proscribed indefinitely. Anyone attempting to rebrand or operate under a different name will face the full wrath of the law,” El-Mustapha warned.
Allegations & Offences
According to internal monitoring reports, the affected venues were allegedly involved in various acts deemed immoral — including organizing late-night events, broadcasting vulgar content, and operating without proper licensing.
The board insists the shutdowns are aimed at restoring order and decency in Kano’s fast-growing but increasingly controversial entertainment space.
Censorship Climate Tightens
This isn’t the board’s first major strike. It comes just weeks after the suspension of several Hausa drama series airing on YouTube and local television, also on grounds of “indecent content” and a lack of censorship clearance.
El-Mustapha, however, pushed back against criticisms that the board is stifling creativity.
“We are not against entertainment,” he stated. “We are simply advocating for content that aligns with Kano’s cultural and religious identity.”
The Way Forward
He further extended an olive branch to filmmakers, artists, and entertainers willing to align with the board’s guidelines.
“There’s room for collaboration. We offer training, dialogue, and support for creatives who are willing to work within the bounds of our shared values,” he added.
As the board doubles down on morality enforcement, creatives across the state are now caught between the pressure to entertain and the imperative to conform. For Kano’s entertainment scene, the message is clear: adapt to the rules — or risk being shut down.
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