NFVCB backs Ekiti’s film village plan, lauds Oyebanji creative economy drive
Maureen Aguta
The Federal Government has thrown its weight behind Ekiti State’s growing creative economy drive, with the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) pledging technical and regulatory support for the state’s proposed film village project.
Director-General/CEO of the NFVCB, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, gave the assurance while receiving Ekiti State’s Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Prof. Rasaki Ojo Bakare, during a courtesy visit to the Board’s headquarters.
He commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for what he described as “bold, visionary and innovative” steps to position the creative sector as a central pillar of economic development.
Husseini particularly hailed the state government’s approval to convert a major filming location into a film village, describing the move as “transformative” and capable of elevating Ekiti into a key hub for film production and cultural tourism in Nigeria.
“The film village initiative has the potential to catalyse investment, attract productions, and deepen the creative ecosystem within the state,” he said, adding that the NFVCB is ready to provide the necessary technical support and regulatory guidance to ensure its successful take-off and long-term sustainability.
Earlier, Ojo Bakare outlined the state’s strategic interventions in the creative sector, highlighting government backing for the epic historical film “Kiriji: The Ekiti-Parapo War.” The project, produced by Lateef Adedimeji and Adebimpe Adedimeji under AL Notions Company, was filmed across multiple locations in Ekiti over a four-month period.
According to the commissioner, the production engaged more than 12,000 people, including cast, crew and service providers, underscoring its economic impact. He noted that the state’s support for the project aligns with broader objectives to boost tourism, create jobs, showcase Ekiti’s natural landscape and preserve its cultural heritage.
Ojo Bakare further disclosed that Governor Oyebanji has approved plans to transform the primary filming site into a permanent film village, a move already in progress. He said the initiative, alongside the establishment of a creative sector endowment fund, reflects the practical implementation of the administration’s Shared Prosperity Agenda focused on inclusive growth and sustainable economic expansion.
Providing details of the funding initiative, he explained that the endowment fund offers production loans to creatives at a single-digit interest rate of seven per cent, with a repayment window of up to 18 months—an intervention designed to ease access to financing and stimulate content development.
Responding, Husseini described the endowment as a “strategic intervention” that would significantly strengthen the capacity of industry operators and enhance Nigeria’s creative output.
He reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to working with state governments to promote responsible storytelling, safeguard cultural values, and unlock the economic potential of Nigeria’s film and audiovisual industries.
With federal backing now in place, Ekiti’s ambitions to become a major destination for film production and cultural tourism appear firmly on track, signaling a broader shift toward sub-national leadership in Nigeria’s creative economy expansion.