The National Film and Video Censors Board has approved and classified 304 films between January and April 2026, reflecting sustained expansion within Nigeria’s film industry and renewed confidence in the country’s creative sector.
The latest classification figure represents a significant increase compared to the 267 films approved within the same period in 2025, further underlining the rising momentum in local film production and distribution.
According to statistics released by the Board, January 2026 recorded the highest number of film classifications with 102 approved productions, while February accounted for 83 films, March recorded 77 and April closed with 42 classifications.
By comparison, the corresponding period in 2025 recorded 25 approved films in January, 58 in February, 114 in March and 70 in April.
An analysis of the language distribution showed that English language productions continued to dominate Nigeria’s film landscape with 201 films classified during the review period.
Igbo language productions followed with 44 films, while Yoruba accounted for 42 films. Hindi productions recorded nine films, Hausa had five and Bini language productions accounted for three films.
Further breakdown of the classification categories revealed that the majority of the productions fell within the “15” and “18” age ratings, reflecting prevailing themes and creative directions shaping contemporary film content.
The Board disclosed that 10 films received the General viewing classification, 16 were rated PG, while 18 films fell within the 12 and 12A categories. A total of 157 films received the “15” rating, while 103 films were classified under the “18” category.
Commenting on the development, Director of Film Censorship and Classification at the NFVCB, Deborah Malgwi, reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to promoting responsible storytelling and professionalism across the industry.
She stated that the increase in classification activities reflects the resilience, creativity and expanding capacity of Nigeria’s entertainment sector, particularly in local content creation and distribution.
Malgwi also noted that film classification remains an essential regulatory tool aimed at protecting children and vulnerable audiences from unsuitable content while providing guidance for parents, guardians and viewers.
She further commended filmmakers, producers and stakeholders across the industry value chain for their continued cooperation with the Board’s regulatory framework, stressing that stronger collaboration would further position Nollywood for greater global relevance and sustainable growth.