Nigerian censors board approved 1,185 films in 2025
The National Film and Video Censors Board has reported that it approved and classified a total of 1,185 films from January to December 2025.
This number marks an increase compared to the 1,088 films classified by the board in 2024, indicating a rise in film submissions during the reviewed period.
Ogbonna Onwumere, the Director of Corporate Affairs of the board, shared this information in a statement released on Wednesday, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria.
Onwumere explained that the increase in film approvals signifies ongoing growth in Nigeria's film industry, as well as heightened activity among filmmakers and distributors throughout the nation.
He mentioned that the films classified throughout the year included various genres and languages, highlighting the vibrancy of local productions and the continued submission of foreign-language films for classification by the board.
He noted that English-language films represented the largest proportion of approvals recorded in 2025.
”Yoruba and Igbo films ranked next, while films in Hausa and other indigenous Nigerian languages were submitted less frequently,” he stated.
However, Onwumere pointed out that there was a wider representation of indigenous languages like Nupe, Berom, and Gbagyi, especially noted in September 2025.
He also disclosed that audience ratings data indicated a strong prevalence of films classified under the 15 and 18 categories throughout the year, suggesting that a majority of the films approved in 2025 were aimed at mature audiences.
”Data regarding audience ratings revealed a significant concentration of films classified as 15 and 18 across all months, indicating that most of the films authorized in 2025 were targeted toward adult viewers.
”In contrast, family-friendly classifications such as G, PG, and 12A were relatively fewer, suggesting a limited output of content suitable for children and general audiences,” he remarked.
A monthly analysis of the approvals showed that May 2025 experienced the highest number of classifications, with 173 films approved during that month.
Onwumere reiterated the board's dedication to fostering diversity in film production, promoting increased investment in family-friendly material, and enhancing the utilization of indigenous Nigerian languages in filmmaking.
He added that the board had implemented measures to support this objective by lowering classification fees for films made in indigenous languages other than Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa, to encourage more submissions.
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