Dr. Shaibu Husseini, the Executive Director/CEO of the National Films and Videos Censors Board (NFVCB), identified the difficult process of gaining DVD classification as a major reason why producers avoid the board.
Speaking on Friday at a stakeholders’ meeting at the NFVCB Lagos Zonal office in Ikoyi, Lagos, Husseini stressed how crucial it is for regulatory authorities to have access to correct data in order to propel the film and television industries to previously unheard-of levels.
Husseini stressed the critical importance that accurate data plays in the categorization and censoring of movies and other media created by producers and sketch artists.
Gathering key stakeholders from the Nigerian film industry, the meeting aimed to deliberate on strategies to bolster the sector’s growth and development.
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The executive director reiterated the significance of digitizing the process, highlighting the inefficiencies of the current analog system.
“We should no longer be doing analogue at a time when we should be talking about digital, and we have agreed to digitalise the process.
“I found out that one of the reasons people are bypassing the board and releasing films without classification is because of the tedious process of getting your films on DVD.
“It is time consuming and the process is cumbersome.
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“Therefore, we are committed to providing a service that will be convenient for the filmmakers.
“They can stay in the comfort of their homes wherever they are, upload their films, pay online, see how the film is being processed, and then print their certificates online,” he said.
Addressing public health concerns, Husseini articulated plans to establish a smoke-free motion picture sector in Nigeria, aligning with World Tobacco Free Day initiatives. He implored practitioners to exercise restraint in depicting tobacco use in films, advocating for responsible filmmaking.
Expressing his vision for a proactive and responsive NFVCB, Husseini emphasized the importance of upholding ethical standards in filmmaking to avoid legal entanglements. He cautioned against content that glorifies crime or tarnishes Nigeria’s image on the global stage.
