Kano Censorship Board Halts 'After-Party,' 'Hot Challenge' at State Weddings

The Kano State Censorship Board has announced the immediate cessation of “after-party” and “hot challenge” activities during wedding festivities and other social gatherings held at event centers throughout the state. This suspension was declared by Abba El-Mustapha, the board's Executive Secretary, in a statement issued by Public Relations Officer Abdullahi Sulaiman on Saturday, July 25, 2026.

According to the official communiqué, this measure is a key component of the board's ongoing efforts to ensure adherence to regulations governing the operations of masters of ceremony and event centers across Kano State. The statement highlighted that the board's attention had been drawn to "the growing trend of this activity, which is considered a Western cultural practice increasingly introduced into wedding celebrations in the state." Consequently, the board has "suspended the practice in order to safeguard the cultural, moral and religious values of the people of Kano State."

The decision, the statement further elaborated, was also deemed necessary as part of the board’s mandate to sanitize entertainment activities and ensure that public events are conducted in line with the state’s cultural and religious values. It stressed that the board encourages positive and responsible forms of entertainment at weddings and other social events, provided they promote morality, respect the local culture, and conform to religious teachings. The board reiterated that entertainment remains an essential aspect of ceremonies when executed within acceptable ethical standards.

Furthermore, the board has directed all event centers, MCs, event planners, and other stakeholders involved in organizing social events to fully comply with this directive. It issued a warning that any individual or organization found violating the suspension could face appropriate legal sanctions in accordance with the laws enforced by the board.

Residents of Kano State have also been urged by the board to support its efforts by promptly reporting any event center or MC found participating in or promoting the suspended activities. Such reports, the board clarified, must pertain to incidents occurring strictly within Kano State.