January 23, 2025

(NEW YORK) – Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) welcomes the decision by the Kano High Court in Nigeria to dismiss the criminal case against filmmaker Hajiya Aishat Tijjani, popularly known as Hajiya Amart, following a complaint by the Kano State Censorship Board in 2024. The decision nullifies a summons issued against Hajiya, with the Court determining that it was unconstitutional. 

“This marks an important triumph for Hajiya and artistic freedom in Nigeria,” said ARC’s Executive Director, Julie Trébault. “The widespread use of censorship boards in Africa–a legacy of the colonial period–is not only an assault on artistic freedom but also actively harms artists and creative producers by perpetuating social stigma, limiting economic opportunities, and curtailing free expression. ARC is committed to supporting civil society efforts and artistic freedom champions in Nigeria and across the African continent to advance policy reforms that respect and protect the fundamental right to freedom of expression.”

Unchained Vibes Africa (UVA), a Nigerian cultural organization that uses  art and culture to support social causes, facilitated legal assistance and advocacy for Hajiya and brought her case to ARC for additional support. According to Ayodele Ganiu, Executive Director of UVA, the judgment “underscores why independent courts are required to protect fundamental freedoms.” 

Across Africa, censorship boards–including Zimbabwe’s Board of Censors, Kenya’s Film Classification Board, and Nigeria’s National Film Censors Board–were introduced during British colonial rule. Today, these entrenched, government-appointed bodies wield significant power over cultural sectors, stifling artistic freedom and restricting creative expression that is vital to vibrant, inclusive societies. Their actions, widely criticized by Pan-African and international freedom of expression organizations, continue to undermine the voices of artists and cultural producers, limiting the transformative potential of art as a tool for advocacy, resistance, and social change.

Hajiya is one of many artists and filmmakers navigating restrictive legal frameworks as they strive to create and share their art. While today’s decision marks a victory for Hajiya, she continues to face challenges, including an ongoing legal appeal to restore her filmmaker’s license. ARC commends the Kano High Court for its decision to dismiss the case in favor of Hajiya and calls for the immediate restoration of her filmmaker’s license. This step is essential to ensure she can continue her artistic practice and contribute meaningfully to the cultural and creative landscape.

ABOUT ARC
Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) is an international organization committed to promoting and advancing artistic freedom worldwide. We work to protect artists and cultural workers who are at risk because of their creative expression, often connected to their identities or roles within their communities. ARC helps artists at risk overcome challenges like persecution, censorship, threats, and violence from both state and non-state actors.

Contact: Elias Ephron, eephron@artistsatriskconnection.org