In Nigeria, the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has recently disclosed that it has received and classified a total of 274 movies produced by the Nigerian film industry in the first quarter of this year.
The board’s Executive Director, Dr Shaibu Husseini, revealed this in a recent statement in Abuja. The NFVCB boss stated that the report includes all genres of films approved by the board and will be submitted to the relevant Federal Government agency as input for calculating the nation’s Gross Domestic Product for the first quarter (Q1 2024).
Of the films produced during this period, a significant number were in English – 250 out of the total number verified and approved by the board. The remaining films were produced in various languages, including Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, and Hindi. The report also reveals a diverse classification of films, with over 50% classified as ’18’ for mature audiences and the rest classified as ’15’, ’12’, those requiring Parental Guidance (PG), and general viewing.
It is crucial to understand the pivotal role of the NFVCB, a Federal Government agency that is vital in regulating Nigeria’s film and video industry. The board is responsible for classifying all films and videos, whether imported or produced locally and registering all film and video outlets nationwide. Its functions, empowered by law, extend beyond these to ensure the smooth operation and growth of the Nigerian film industry.