The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has given approval for the premiere of a controversial film initially titled Badagry: I Bad I Agree, following public outcry over its title and content.
Executive director of the NFVCB Shaibu Husseini shared an update on Instagram on Monday alongside the film’s revised poster.
According to him, the filmmaker agreed to change the title to I Bad and make necessary corrections after a meeting with representatives of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) and the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN).
“Following the Board’s intervention and the concerns raised regarding the film’s title and content, the filmmaker agreed… to change the title to I Bad and also implement the necessary corrections as communicated by the NFVCB,” the statement read.
Husseini explained that it was based on proof of these changes that the NFVCB granted provisional approval for the film’s premiere, which held on Friday, July 4.
“The premiere usually precedes the formal release of the film and does not represent the formal release, distribution or exhibition,” the board clarified.
The film caused a stir last week after veteran filmmaker and cultural advocate Tunde Alabi-Hundeyin, also known as Dudu Baba, kicked against the original title, saying it tarnished the image of Badagry, a historic town with strong cultural and spiritual heritage.
Actor Segun Arinze and other industry figures also condemned the title, prompting calls for the NFVCB to act.
The board warned that any attempt to release, distribute, or exhibit the film using the original title or without the approved changes would be a violation of the law.
“In such an event, the NFVCB shall not hesitate to invoke the relevant provisions of the law to address the infraction,” the statement concluded.
The movie is now officially titled I Bad.
