National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) Executive Director Shaibu Husseini has identified Ruth Kadiri, Omoni Oboli and Blessing Egbe as some of the filmmakers on YouTube who ensure their works undergo classification.
Husseini made this known in an exclusive interview with QEDNG publisher Olumide Iyanda, emphasising the legal requirement for content creators to submit their films for classification.
“The law states that any film or video work produced locally or imported for exhibition on any platform must be classified by the National Film and Video Censors Board,” he said.
Addressing filmmakers who bypass this process by uploading directly from their homes, the 54-year-old clarified that online submission is available for classification. He stressed that the board’s role is not to censor but to rate films appropriately.
“We classify the films. Video works include dramatised short content, such as skits. If it has a theme, costumes, cast and characters, it must be classified before being uploaded online,” he explained.
Husseini noted that the classification process has been streamlined, allowing filmmakers to submit and receive certificates online without visiting the NFVCB office. He also highlighted the importance of proper data collection for industry growth.
“We are losing in terms of data and data drives investment. If UNESCO requests our film production data today, we may fall in ranking. When UNESCO last surveyed, we reported around 2,600 films per year.
“However, this year, we reported 1,400, which is inaccurate because many more films are being made, especially in Asaba and other production hubs,” he said.
Praising filmmakers who comply with classification requirements, he specifically mentioned Kadiri, Oboli and Egbe as those who regularly submit their YouTube films for review.
“I can confidently say Ruth Kadiri does. Iroko, Omoni Oboli and Blessing Egbe also submit their films. The mode of distribution has changed from DVDs to online platforms, but the classification requirement remains,” he stated.
Husseini assured that the NFVCB has reduced processing times, ensuring that films for online release are classified within 24 hours, sometimes even sooner.
“For some of their films, which run about 60 minutes, we classify them quickly. Their certificate is issued online. Payments are also made online, directly to the government, without needing to visit our office,” he added.
