The National Film and Video Censors Board approved and classified a total of 1,185 movies in 2025, marking an increase from the 1,088 films cleared in 2024.
The board’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ogbonna Onwumere, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, noting the rise reflects sustained growth and high activity in Nigeria’s film industry.
Onwumere stated that the classified films spanned various genres and languages, showcasing the vibrancy of local productions and continued submissions of foreign-language titles.
English-language films dominated the approvals, followed by Yoruba and Igbo productions. Hausa and other indigenous language films appeared less frequently, though there was broader representation of languages like Nupe, Berom, and Gbagyi, particularly in September 2025.
Data on audience ratings indicated a strong concentration of films classified under the ’15’ and ’18’ categories throughout the year, suggesting most content was targeted at mature audiences. Family-friendly classifications like ‘G’, ‘PG’, and ’12A’ were comparatively fewer, pointing to limited production of children’s and general-audience content.
May 2025 recorded the highest monthly approvals, with 173 films classified.
The board reiterated its commitment to promoting diversity in film production and encouraging more investment in family-friendly content. To boost indigenous language films, the NFVCB has reduced classification fees for movies produced in languages other than Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa.
