Abuja: The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has announced that it approved and classified a total of 1,185 films between January and December 2025.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, this marks an increase from the 1,088 films classified in 2024, indicating sustained growth and strong activity in Nigeria’s film industry. The increase also reflects a consistently high level of engagement by filmmakers and distributors across the country.
The films approved span a wide range of genres and languages, highlighting the vibrancy of local film production and the continued submission of foreign-language films for classification in Nigeria. English-language films had the highest number of approvals, reaffirming their dominance in the country’s film production landscape. Yoruba and Igbo films followed, while Hausa and other indigenous Nigerian language films were less frequent.
Mr. Ogbonna Onwumere, Director of Corporate Affairs at NFVCB, noted a broader representation of indigenous languages such as Nupe, Berom, and Gbagyi, especially in September 2025. This development underscores Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity. Foreign-language films, including those in Hindi, French, and Japanese, were also classified during the year.
In terms of audience ratings, data showed a strong concentration of films classified under 15 and 18 ratings throughout the year, suggesting that most films approved in 2025 were aimed at mature audiences. Family-friendly classifications such as G, PG, and 12A were fewer, indicating limited production of children’s and general-audience content.
NAN reports that May 2025 recorded the highest number of film approvals, with 173 titles classified. Mr. Onwumere reiterated the NFVCB’s commitment to fostering greater diversity in film production and advocating for increased investment in family-friendly content and the use of Nigeria’s indigenous languages.
In an effort to promote indigenous language films, the board has reduced classification fees for films produced in indigenous languages outside Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa. This initiative aligns with the Executive Director’s emphasis on cultural representation and inclusivity in the film industry.