How I have been running NFVCB —Husseini

The Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board, Shaibu Husseini, gave his scorecard while hosting the newly inaugurated leadership of the Arts and Culture Writers Association of Nigeria in Lagos

EXECUTIVE Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr Shaibu Husseini, has disclosed that upon taking office two years ago, his primary goals were to increase the board’s visibility, ensure transparency, and enhance stakeholder engagement.

He said he encountered an agency with a clear statutory mandate to license and regulate film distribution staffed by officers eager to work but who required renewed motivation, clearer direction and improved operational tools.

Given these circumstances, he made a conscious decision not to overhaul the workforce but to work with existing staff. Apart from a few personal aides, no major external recruitment was done.

Husseini made these disclosures last week while hosting the newly inaugurated leadership of the Arts and Culture Writers Association of Nigeria (ACWAN) in Lagos, providing context for the reforms he initiated.

During the event, he described the rebirth of the body as both timely and essential to restoring a strong, informed and influential voice for Nigeria’s arts, culture and creative industries.

Husseini said he was excited by the successful election and reorganisation of the association, noting that arts writing once played a decisive role in shaping cultural policy and institutional development in Nigeria.

He recalled that in earlier decades, arts writers produced detailed, historically grounded reports that helped policymakers make informed decisions, rather than limiting coverage to entertainment headlines or celebrity performances.

According to him, reviving a credible, organised body of arts and culture writers is especially crucial now that the creative sector includes many interconnected sub-sectors.

Reflecting on his journey, Husseini said his appointment as Executive Director of the NFVCB surprised him, stressing that he neither lobbied for the position nor discussed it with the supervising minister before the announcement.

He went on to explain that his professional background is rooted in the performing arts, cultural administration and long-term engagement with film criticism and documentation, particularly through his work as a writer and critic.

Husseini disclosed that at the time of his appointment, he had planned to return to the university and become the first professor in his community. After over 23 years in the performing arts, he felt fulfilled but no longer challenged.

This led him to pursue teaching and research. However, he said circumstances changed when the appointment was announced, and he accepted the role to put his critiques and ideas about film regulation into practice.

He found many Nigerians unaware of the board’s functions and prioritised rewriting and publicising the NFVCB’s mandate to address this. The board quickly responded to industry calls for faster and more efficient film classification processes.

As part of key achievements, he said the board strengthened the online film classification system, which now significantly reduces turnaround time compared to previous practices. Under the improved system, filmmakers can receive classification decisions within 24 hours, aiding production schedules and cutting industry frustration.

Further supporting these reforms, he added that the board is working towards fully digitised operations that would allow staff to work more flexibly. He noted that modern regulatory work should not be restricted to traditional office hours or physical locations. He said improved funding would further enhance this transition.

He also highlighted the board’s successful resolution of several court cases it inherited, addressing long-standing disputes in the sector. Through regular stakeholder meetings and dialogue, the board rebuilt trust, demonstrating a commitment to amicable, out-of-court settlements. He stressed that the board’s role is not to stifle creativity but to guide it responsibly.

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Addressing recent issues, Husseini discussed film classification controversies, including public reactions to films such as ‘A Very Dirty Christmas’. He said the board approved the film as a work of fiction and did not consider the title a direct reference to the Christian celebration. The content did not relate to the nativity or religious themes. He explained that the law allows the board to review decisions where public concerns arise. This particularly applies when films transition from cinemas to other platforms.

He further clarified that the board does not ban films but may restrict those that threaten national security or promote ethnic, religious, or social division. He added that while released films cannot be fully erased from digital spaces, filmmakers can agree to make changes for future distribution.

Husseini called on filmmakers to exercise restraint and responsibility. He warned against generalisations that could stigmatize entire communities. He also urged the media to help educate the public on the meaning of fiction and the importance of disclaimers in film content.

Among the most significant reforms underway, he said, is the planned removal of the word “censors” from the agency’s name. He explained that, globally, film regulatory bodies are known as classification boards and that the term “censorship” often creates misconceptions, especially at international forums.

He disclosed that the NFVCB has approached the National Assembly to amend its enabling Act, expressing confidence that the name change would be concluded by mid-2026.

Husseini further announced the board’s achievement in securing a permanent headquarters in Abuja, marking the end of decades of operating from rented premises. With presidential approval, the board is now renovating the property, with formal commissioning planned for later in the year.

According to him, the new headquarters will support expanded activities, including the establishment of film museums in Abuja and Lagos. The museums will house relics such as old film posters, VHS equipment and archival materials. There will also be a hall of fame celebrating the pioneers of Nigerian cinema.

He also revealed that the board has initiated plans to digitise over 280,000 films in its archive, spanning from the VHS era to the present. This effort, through a proposed partnership with a German firm, will make the archive accessible to researchers, students, and industry.

Husseini disclosed a major achievement: a comprehensive index of all films classified between 1994 and 2026, compiled into a four-volume publication available in electronic and physical formats. This set will launch on September 2 and will be distributed to universities and major libraries nationwide.

On industry data and compliance, he said major achievements include enforcing mandatory classification, reducing fees to encourage online submissions, and prioritising data collection over revenue. Husseini warned that unreliable data could undermine Nigeria’s global standing in the film industry, noting that international recognition depends on output data.

In addition to regulatory and archival work, he also highlighted the board’s media literacy initiatives, which he described as critical to consumer education and child protection. He said the NFVCB operates six zonal offices and 24 state offices that conduct monthly outreach programmes in schools, markets and community groups, including women’s August Meetings in the South-East.

According to him, the media literacy department educates parents and guardians on classification symbols, content suitability and digital monitoring tools, helping families better manage what children consume on screens.

Husseini’s overarching goal is a well-regulated, data-driven, globally competitive film industry that protects creative freedom while upholding social responsibility. He underscored that informed journalism and engagement are vital to achieving this vision.