The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has launched Media Literacy Clubs in secondary schools across Osun State, marking a major step in its efforts to promote responsible media consumption and safeguard young minds.
The initiative, themed “Making Safer Choices and Safeguarding Young Minds,” aims to equip students with critical thinking skills, foster awareness around age-appropriate content, and educate them on media literacy. The pilot scheme was officially flagged off in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, with four selected schools participating.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Paul Aliwon, Deputy Director of the NFVCB at the Osun Centre office, explained that the clubs would operate like other school-based extracurricular groups but would specifically guide students on safe media habits and film content consumption.
“With the endorsement of the Osun State Ministry of Education, we have secured approval to launch the programme in both public and private schools,” Aliwon said. “We are beginning with ten students per school and one coordinating teacher.”
He outlined the club’s objectives to include:
* Educating students on film classifications and consumer advisories issued by the NFVCB,
* Promoting safe online and offline content consumption, and
* Introducing young people to the film value chain and classification processes.
In a goodwill message to the event, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NFVCB, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, said the programme also intends to expose students to mentorship opportunities with leading figures in the Nigerian film industry. He added that plans are in place to organize inter-school competitions and advocacy campaigns aimed at promoting media safety and youth development.
“Club members will be engaged via a dedicated WhatsApp support line,” Dr. Husseini noted, “and they will serve as youth ambassadors for the NFVCB in their various schools and communities.”
So far, the Media Literacy Club has been formally introduced in three schools: Ataoja School of Science, Treasure Trove School, and Day Star School, with 30 student ambassadors and three coordinating teachers already in place.
While expressing gratitude to the Osun State Ministry of Education for its support, Dr. Husseini said the initiative represents a proactive step by the NFVCB to empower the next generation with the knowledge and tools required to navigate today’s increasingly complex media landscape.
The NFVCB plans to expand the programme to more schools in the coming months as it continues its nationwide drive for safer content consumption among Nigeria’s youth.