The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has said it will intensify enforcement of film classification rules, including on digital platforms, as part of efforts to strengthen regulation in Nigeria’s film industry.
The board’s executive director and chief executive officer, Shaibu Husseini, stated this while hosting students of the MultiChoice Talent Factory Acting Academy at the board’s Lagos office on Wednesday. The visit formed part of an industry excursion aimed at exposing young actors to film regulation, governance, and ethical compliance.
Husseini described the engagement as timely, saying the future of Nollywood depends not only on creative excellence but also on regulatory discipline and cultural responsibility. He reiterated that no film should be distributed or exhibited in Nigeria without proper classification, adding that the board would step up enforcement.
He disclosed that the NFVCB is working towards removing unclassified Nigerian films from digital platforms in line with its mandate and existing agreements with the platforms. Filmmakers were urged to comply with classification requirements, noting that the approval process has been streamlined and can now be completed online when submissions meet regulatory standards.
The NFVCB boss also said the board is reintroducing online classification mechanisms and deploying the Magpie verification system to improve transparency, tracking, and compliance within the industry.
Addressing concerns within the industry, Husseini said clear disclaimers are required in fiction films and noted ongoing efforts to control the promotion and glamorisation of tobacco, narcotics use, and ritual practices on screen. He stated that the board has not banned money ritual themes in films but expects such content to include appropriate disclaimers and consequences within the storyline.
He added that while festival films not intended for public distribution may not require classification, any film released to the general public must undergo the statutory process. Documentary films, he said, must maintain factual accuracy and may require classification depending on how they are distributed.
On emerging trends, Husseini said the use of Artificial Intelligence in film production must be transparently disclosed before distribution, with appropriate indemnities executed.
Beyond regulation, he outlined plans for stakeholder workshops, monetisation training, and legal compliance sessions aimed at strengthening industry capacity. He also said the board is considering lower-cost licensing options for smaller cinema operators while maintaining safeguards against abuse.
Husseini further restated his plan to establish a film and video library to preserve Nigeria’s film heritage.
During the visit, students toured the NFVCB archives and preview facilities where classification exercises are conducted. The board’s head of media literacy, Chioma Obasi, also briefed them on school outreach programmes designed to educate young audiences on film ratings and the distinction between fiction and reality.
The session ended with an interactive discussion on licensing, censorship processes, and career opportunities within the regulatory system.
