The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has disclosed that it approved and classified 1,185 films between January and December 2025, marking an increase from the 1,088 titles recorded in 2024.
The figure was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by the board’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ogbonna Onwumere, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Onwumere said the rise in film approvals points to steady growth within Nigeria’s film industry, reflecting sustained production activity by filmmakers and distributors across the country.
He explained that the approved films spanned multiple genres and languages, underscoring the diversity of content produced locally as well as the continued submission of foreign-language films for classification.
According to the NFVCB, English-language productions accounted for the highest number of approvals in 2025. Yoruba and Igbo films followed, while Hausa and other Nigerian indigenous-language films were less frequent.
However, Onwumere noted that September 2025 recorded broader representation of indigenous languages such as Nupe, Berom and Gbagyi, indicating gradual diversification in language use within the industry.
He also highlighted trends in audience classification, stating that most of the approved films fell under the 15 and 18 ratings throughout the year. This, he said, suggests a strong focus on content aimed at mature audiences.
By contrast, family-oriented classifications including G, PG and 12A were relatively limited, pointing to lower production levels of children’s and general-audience films in 2025.
A breakdown of approvals by month showed that May 2025 recorded the highest number, with 173 films classified during the period.
Reaffirming the board’s policy direction, Onwumere said the NFVCB remains committed to promoting diversity in film production, encouraging greater investment in family-friendly content, and supporting increased use of indigenous Nigerian languages.
He added that classification fees for films produced in indigenous languages other than Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa have been reduced as part of efforts to encourage more submissions and wider linguistic representation in Nigerian cinema.
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