The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has approved and classified 1,185 films in 2025, reflecting steady growth and sustained activity in Nigeria’s film industry.
According to the Board’s annual classification report, films approved between January and December 2025 spanned multiple genres and languages, highlighting both the vibrancy of local film production and continued submissions of foreign-language content for Nigerian distribution.
The figure represents an increase from the 1,088 films classified in 2024, signalling consistent engagement from filmmakers and content producers across the country.
English-language films dominated approvals throughout the year, retaining their leading position within Nigeria’s film landscape.
Yoruba and Igbo-language productions followed closely, while Hausa and other indigenous language films accounted for fewer submissions.
However, the report noted a notable rise in films produced in minority indigenous languages such as Nupe, Berom, and Gbagyi, particularly in September 2025, pointing to growing cultural representation within Nollywood.
The Board also classified foreign-language films in Hindi, French, and Japanese during the year.In terms of audience ratings, the majority of films fell under the 15 and 18 categories, indicating a strong focus on mature content.
Family-friendly classifications such as G, PG, and 12A remained limited, suggesting lower production volumes for children’s and general-audience films.
May 2025 recorded the highest number of approvals, with 173 films classified in that month alone.
Overall trends from the report showed: Continued dominance of English-language films; Strong preference for mature content ratings; Gradual but limited growth in productions using minority Nigerian languages.
The NFVCB reaffirmed its commitment to promoting greater diversity in film production, particularly through increased use of indigenous languages and improved support for family-friendly content.
As part of this effort, the Board recently reduced classification fees for indigenous language films outside Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa, aimed at encouraging wider participation and cultural inclusivity in the industry.
The Board stated that the 2025 figures reflect steady momentum in Nigeria’s film sector, reinforcing its role in responsible content regulation while supporting creativity and industry development.
Written by Chioma Ezike