Sitting L-R : Executive Director, (CAPPA) Akinbode, Executive Director, (NFVCB) Dr Shaibu Husseini and Betina Edziwa of (ACBF) pose with the Management of the Board and visiting partners.
The Africa Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), led by Betina Edziwa, visited the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) on a fact-finding mission to assess the implementation of the NFVCB Regulations 2024, aimed at controlling the glamorization of tobacco and nicotine products. The team was received in Abuja by the Executive Director of NFVCB, Dr. Shaibu Husseini. Also present were partners including Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), and Olawale Makanjuola of the Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA).
R-L: The Executive Director, National Film and Video Censors Board, Dr. Shaibu Husseini and Barr. Rimini Makama, Executive Commissioner Stakeholder Management, Nigerian Communications Commission (4@5) during a courtesy visit to the NCC . The visit was to strengthen the synergy between the agencies especially in the digital space where the mandates of both agencies intersect.
Distinguished Executive Chairman, esteemed Commissioners and Directors, I am delighted to pay this courtesy visit to the Nigerian Communications Commission, a foremost regulatory body in our nation’s communications ecosystem. Please accept our sincere commendation for the remarkable work you continue to do in regulating Nigeria’s vibrant communications sector.
ED NFVCB and executive commissioner Stakeholder Management, Nigerian Communications Commission
We are here today to further strengthen the synergy between our two agencies, particularly in the digital space where our mandates intersect. As you are aware, the NFVCB is the statutory agency of government empowered to regulate the film and video industry in Nigeria through censorship and classification of films, as well as through the licensing of film distribution and exhibition platforms. Our core responsibility is to ensure that films and video works consumed in Nigeria reflect our laws, cultural values, and national security interests.However, in recent times, we have encountered new challenges brought about by rapid digital convergence. One of the most pressing concerns is film piracy through encrypted and open platforms such as TELEGRAM, which has become a major hub for the unauthorized distribution of Nigerian films. This criminal activity undermines our creative economy, denies stakeholders their rightful earnings, and erodes the incentive for quality content creation. We believe that with NCC’s mandate in monitoring and regulating communication platforms, your assistance is crucial in developing a collaborative framework to address this menace.Furthermore, we have observed that telecommunication companies under NCC’s purview—such as Airtel and MTN—have established streaming services that are distributing films and video content without the requisite licensing from NFVCB. This not only violates the regulatory framework but also raises concerns about the circulation of unclassified and unregulated content, with implications for national security, cultural integrity, and consumer protection. It is therefore our respectful request that NCC supports NFVCB by:Collaborating with us to combat the menace of film piracy on digital platforms, particularly encrypted messaging services.Advising and mandating telcos that operate streaming platforms to comply with the existing laws by securing the appropriate licenses from NFVCB before distributing films and video works.Establishing a joint technical committee or working group between our two agencies to harmonize regulatory efforts in the digital content distribution space.Distinguished Chairman, our film industry is not only a cultural asset but also a key driver of Nigeria’s soft power and economic growth. Protecting it is in our collective national interest. We believe that with the cooperation of the NCC, we can ensure a safer digital ecosystem for our films, support lawful innovation, and guarantee that Nigeria’s creative talents thrive in a fair marketplace.We thank you for receiving us warmly today, and we look forward to building a sustainable and strategic partnership with the NCC in this critical area of national development.
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