Nollywood Calls on FG Not to Dissolve NFVCB

Leaders from Nollywood are urgently calling on the Federal Government not to proceed with plans to dissolve the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB). 

This call to action stems from recent government directives aimed at streamlining agencies as part of the Oronsaye Report’s implementation, which suggests the NFVCB’s absorption into the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy. 

Legal and Legislative Concerns

The controversy began when Hannatu Musawa, the Minister of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, was instructed to dissolve the NFVCB—a move that bypasses the legal channels typically required. 

This directive has not only sparked an outcry among Nollywood professionals but also prompted the Nigerian Senate to step in. 

The Senate has openly criticized the proposal, pointing out the legal necessity to repeal the act that established the NFVCB through formal legislative procedures before any dissolution can occur. This legal oversight highlights the complexities and potential oversights within rushed governmental reforms.

Impact on Industry Integrity

Victor Okhai, a pivotal figure in Nollywood and the National President of the Directors Guild of Nigeria, has been vocal about the detrimental effects of integrating the NFVCB into a larger ministry. 

He argues that such a move would disrupt the efficiency and reach of film regulation across Nigeria’s 36 states. 

Okhai emphasizes that the local presence of the NFVCB is crucial for maintaining the industry’s standards and accessibility, suggesting that centralizing film censorship in Abuja would place undue strain on filmmakers and potentially stifle the industry’s diversity and creativity.

The Global Perspective and Industry Future

Echoing Okhai’s concerns, Blessing Ebigieson, National President of the Association of Movie Producers, stands firm against the dissolution. She points to global best practices that support maintaining independent film classification bodies. 

Ebigieson warns that dismantling the NFVCB could compromise the cultural and moral safeguards currently protecting Nigerian audiences, particularly children, from inappropriate content. 

The potential fallout from such a change, she argues, would not only affect cultural representation but also the economic vitality driven by Nollywood’s expansive and interconnected value chain.