The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) says the board received and censored 541 movies produced by the Nigerian film industry in the first quarter of 2022.

This is contained in a statement issued by Adedayo Thomas, the Executive Director of NFVCB on Friday.

He said the figure was made available by the Department of Film Censorship and Classification of the board in its first quarter report of the year.

Mr Thomas said the report captured all films submitted to the board from across the country.

He added that the report would be submitted to the relevant federal government authority for the compilation of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the first quarter (GDP) of 2022.

Mr Thomas explained that the first quarter report indicated a sharp increase in the number of movies produced from 382 in the last quarter of 2021 to 541, representing 42 per cent increase.

“We are happy that the industry is beginning the year on a good note as indicated in the increase in the numbers of films that the board received for censorship and approval in the first quarter,” he stated. “There is no doubt that our film industry is a key contributor to national economy as films being produced is a clear reflection of the direct and indirect jobs the sector is creating.”

He added that the NFVCB as a federal government agency “is committed” to providing enabling environment for filmmakers.
“We, therefore, urge them to cooperate with us by ensuring that they submit their films for classification.”

Lagos had the highest number of movies produced for the period under review with 179, while Abuja followed with 164 movies and Onitsha, 121 movies.

The analysis by censorship location further showed that Kano had 42, Port Harcourt 26, while Jos and Benin recorded six and three movies respectively for the period under review.

“The board is empowered by law to classify all films and videos whether imported or produced locally,” he stressed. “It is also the duty of the Board to register all films and videos outlets across the country and to keep a register of such registered outlets among other functions.”

(NAN)