The Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Shaibu Husseini recently met with former Nigeria Oscar Selection Committee (NOSC) chairperson Chineze Anyaene-Abonyi in Los Angeles.
Husseini shared a photo of their meeting on Instagram on Monday, expressing his excitement over their discussion and the warm reception he received.
“See who literally canceled all her meetings and engagements to give me a proudly Nigerian welcome in Los Angeles; City of Megasters…,” he wrote.
Recounting their interaction, he described it as a “very productive meeting” that took place during his short working visit to Los Angeles for discussions with prospective cinema investors and attendance at the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF).
“From the lobby of Culver Theatre in Culver City where the 33rd edition of the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) was taking place, Chairmo as I simply called her and yours sincerely deferred the rainy Thursday in search of where to have lunch and ‘talk’.
“After walking a distance, we returned to Culver Hotel—a few steps away from the prestigious Culver Studio—where over lunch and for nearly five hours, we discussed the Nigeria Oscar Selection Committee (NOSC) episode, the current state of the Nollywood industry, and explored ways to promote its growth,” he wrote.
Husseini also revealed that Chineze congratulated him on his appointment as NFVCB Executive Director and pledged her support for the board’s digitisation efforts.
“Notably, Chineze congratulated me on my appointment as Executive Director of the @nfvcb (it was the first time we were meeting after the unfortunate NOSC episode) and she pledged her support for the National Film and Video Censors Board’s (NFVCB) digitization efforts, a significant boost to our initiatives.”
Husseini previously served as a member of the NOSC before the committee faced internal disagreements in 2022, resulting in Nigeria not submitting a film for the Oscars that year.
The controversy centered around the rejection of Anikulapo, Elesin Oba: The King’s Horseman and King of Thieves, despite meeting eligibility criteria.
Disputes within the committee led to a deadlock and the decision not to submit any film.
In October 2022, Husseini resigned from the NOSC, citing concerns over the selection process.
His departure was followed by the resignations of other members, including filmmaker Mildred Okwo, amid ongoing disagreements about transparency.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) later intervened, reconstituting the NOSC to restore credibility.
In August 2023, Anyaene-Abonyi stepped down as NOSC chairperson after securing the Oscars’ re-approval of the committee for the 96th Academy Awards.
She was later succeeded by actress and filmmaker Stephanie Linus.
