The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has intensified efforts to expand Nigeria’s film industry beyond its traditional strongholds, identifying Kaduna as a key location for indigenous film development and capacity building.
This direction was made clear during a high-level stakeholders’ engagement convened by the NFVCB’s Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Shaibu Husseini, at the Federal Secretariat Conference Hall in Kaduna. The meeting brought together representatives from film guilds, associations, and officials from the Kaduna State Ministry of Business and Innovation.
At the session, Dr. Husseini outlined the Board’s plan to host the grand finale of the Nigerian Indigenous Film Showcase in Kaduna – a move widely seen as a strategic push to stimulate local production, promote talent development, and boost economic activity within the state’s growing creative ecosystem.
He noted that the initiative aligns with the Board’s broader vision of using the creative sector as a tool for economic expansion across different regions in Nigeria. According to him, decentralising industry opportunities will not only empower emerging filmmakers but also strengthen the overall value chain of the Nigerian film industry..
Beyond the showcase, the NFVCB also announced plans to roll out a series of capacity-building programmes aimed at equipping filmmakers with modern skills required to compete in an increasingly dynamic global industry.
On regulatory compliance, Dr. Husseini reiterated the Board’s stance against unapproved film releases on digital platforms such as YouTube, warning that stricter enforcement measures will be implemented. He urged practitioners to adhere to established guidelines to ensure professionalism and maintain industry standards.
Also speaking at the event, Mrs. Rhoda Dandura, Acting Director of the Licensing and Documentation Department, called for greater responsibility in storytelling. She emphasised the importance of value-driven content, particularly in safeguarding younger audiences.
Stakeholders described the engagement as both productive and enlightening, noting that it provided clarity on regulatory expectations while reinforcing the Board’s commitment to industry growth. In a show of support, a representative of the Kaduna State Ministry of Business and Innovation, Mr. Zwahu Yanwaidi, pledged the ministry’s backing for the planned showcase and training initiatives.
Closing the session, Dr. Husseini assured participants of continued collaboration, promising to return to Kaduna to sustain the momentum generated. The development signals a growing recognition of Kaduna as a viable and emerging hub in Nigeria’s evolving film landscape.