NFVCB clears 1,185 films in 2025 as Nigeria’s screen industry expands, diversity deepens
Maureen Aguta
Nigeria’s film industry maintained strong momentum in 2025, with the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) approving and classifying 1,185 films between January and December, signalling sustained production activity and growing linguistic diversity across the sector.
Data from the Board’s annual classification report show that the 2025 figure surpassed the 1,088 films classified in 2024, underscoring a consistently high level of engagement by filmmakers and distributors, both local and foreign.
The films approved during the year cut across multiple genres and languages, reflecting the vibrancy of domestic production as well as the steady inflow of foreign-language titles submitted for classification in Nigeria.
English-language films dominated approvals throughout the year, reinforcing their central position in Nigeria’s film ecosystem. They were followed by Yoruba and Igbo productions, while Hausa and other indigenous-language films appeared in smaller numbers.
However, the report highlighted encouraging signs of broader cultural representation. In September 2025 in particular, films in lesser-used indigenous languages such as Nupe, Berom and Gbagyi featured more prominently, pointing to a gradual widening of Nigeria’s cinematic language landscape. Foreign-language films, including titles in Hindi, French and Japanese, were also classified during the year.
On audience suitability, the data reveal a strong tilt towards mature content. Films rated 15 and 18 accounted for the bulk of approvals across all months, suggesting that most productions in 2025 were targeted at adult audiences.
By contrast, family-friendly classifications—G, PG and 12A—were relatively few, indicating limited output of children’s and general-audience films.
A month-by-month breakdown showed that May 2025 was the most active period, with 173 films classified—the highest monthly total for the year.
Overall trends point to three clear patterns: the consistent dominance of English-language films; a heavy concentration of mature-rated content; and a growing, though still modest, inclusion of indigenous Nigerian languages beyond the three major ones.
Commenting on the report, the NFVCB reaffirmed its commitment to promoting greater diversity in film production. The Board said it would continue to encourage increased investment in family-oriented content and broader use of Nigeria’s indigenous languages, in line with the Executive Director’s push for cultural representation and inclusivity in the creative sector.
As part of this drive, the NFVCB disclosed that it had reduced classification fees for indigenous-language films produced in languages other than Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa, in a bid to lower barriers and stimulate wider linguistic participation in filmmaking.
The Board noted that the 2025 classification figures reflect sustained momentum in Nigeria’s film industry, while underscoring the NFVCB’s role in balancing responsible content regulation with support for growth, creativity and cultural expression in Africa’s largest film market.