The Kano State Censorship Board has suspended 22 airing of 22 popular Hausa series films for allegedly violating its regulatory guidelines.

The board said the move is a strategic one to ensure strict adherence to regulations and uphold professionalism within the Hausa film industry, the Kannywood.

According to a statement by the board’s Information Officer, Abdullahi Sani Sulaiman, the affected film series include: Labarina, Dadin Kowa, Manyan Mata, Garwashi, Jamilun Jidda and Gidan Sarauta among others.

The statement said the directive was given late Sunday by the Executive Secretary of the board, Abba El-Mustapha, following a management meeting and due consultation.

Other suspended series films include 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 emphasized that the law empowered 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.

Daily Trust reports that 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, mostly on weekly basis.