The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has announced that a total of 1,185 films were approved and classified between January and December 2025, reflecting sustained growth and robust activity within Nigeria’s film industry.
The figure represents an increase from the 1,088 films classified in 2024, indicating continued confidence among filmmakers and distributors in Nigeria’s regulatory framework and a steady flow of content into the market.
According to the NFVCB’s annual classification report, the films approved during the year covered a wide range of genres and languages. The report noted that both locally produced films and foreign-language titles were submitted for classification, underscoring Nigeria’s position as a major hub for film production and exhibition in Africa.
English-language films accounted for the highest number of approvals throughout the year, maintaining their dominance in Nigeria’s film landscape. Films produced in Yoruba and Igbo languages followed in volume, while Hausa-language productions and films in other indigenous Nigerian languages appeared less frequently. However, the Board observed a gradual expansion in linguistic diversity, particularly in September 2025, when films in minority indigenous languages such as Nupe, Berom and Gbagyi were classified, highlighting the country’s rich cultural heritage.
The report also showed that foreign-language films remained part of the classification process in 2025. Titles in languages such as Hindi, French and Japanese were approved, reflecting the continued presence of international content in Nigeria’s cinemas and distribution channels.
In terms of audience classification, the NFVCB disclosed that most films approved in 2025 were rated 15 or 18, indicating a strong focus on content targeted at mature audiences. Family-friendly classifications, including G, PG and 12A, were comparatively fewer, suggesting limited production of films designed specifically for children and general audiences during the year.
A breakdown of monthly approvals revealed that May 2025 recorded the highest level of activity, with 173 films classified, making it the busiest month of the year. Overall, the monthly data showed consistent trends, including the dominance of English-language films, a high proportion of mature-rated content and a modest but growing presence of indigenous-language productions beyond the major Nigerian languages.
Commenting on the report, the NFVCB reiterated its commitment to encouraging greater diversity within the film industry. The Board said it would continue to promote wider use of indigenous Nigerian languages and increased investment in family-friendly and culturally inclusive content. As part of efforts to support this objective, the NFVCB disclosed that it has reduced classification fees for indigenous-language films produced outside of English, Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa.
The Board added that the 2025 classification figures demonstrate sustained momentum in Nigeria’s creative sector and reaffirm its role in ensuring responsible content classification while supporting the growth, diversity and global competitiveness of the nation’s film industry.
