The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) says it has begun discussions with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to address the growing menace of digital piracy and unlicensed streaming platforms in the country.
Executive director, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, made this known during a courtesy visit to the NCC headquarters in Abuja. He commended the commission for its achievements in Nigeria’s communications sector but stressed the urgent need for stronger collaboration between both agencies.
According to him, while the NFVCB regulates films and video works through censorship, classification and licensing, the rapid expansion of digital platforms has created new threats to Nigeria’s creative economy.
“One of the most disturbing trends today is the piracy of Nigerian films on encrypted platforms such as Telegram. This criminal activity robs our stakeholders of their earnings, discourages quality content creation, and undermines national security,” Dr. Husseini said.
He also expressed worry that some telecommunication operators were running streaming services without securing the required licenses for exhibition and distribution of films from the NFVCB. He said such practices expose Nigerians to unclassified and unregulated content with cultural and security risks.
To curb the trend, Husseini urged the NCC to work with the Nigerian Copyright Commission and the NFVCB to fight piracy on encrypted platforms. He further requested the NCC’s assistance in ensuring telecom operators obtain NFVCB’s distribution and exhibition licenses before streaming films.
The NFVCB boss also called for the setting up of a joint technical committee to harmonise regulatory oversight.
Responding on behalf of the NCC, the executive commissioner for stakeholder management, Barr. Rimini Makama, who represented the Executive Vice Chairman, welcomed the NFVCB delegation and assured them of the commission’s readiness to collaborate.
She disclosed that both agencies would soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to fast-track interventions when infractions occur.
Makama also briefed the delegation on NCC’s existing framework on Child Online Protection and pledged to investigate reports of unlicensed streaming by telecommunications companies as well as piracy on Telegram, which she described as “a form of cybercrime.”
Dr. Husseini, on his part, stressed that Nigeria’s film industry remains both a cultural treasure and an economic driver. “Protecting it is in our collective national interest,” he said.
He added that the NFVCB-NCC partnership would guarantee a safer digital ecosystem and a fair marketplace for creative talents.
