The Benin Centre of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has called for deeper collaboration with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to enhance public advocacy on responsible film viewership and content regulation.
Head of the NFVCB Benin Centre, Mr Elakhe Fred, made the appeal on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to NAN’s Zonal Office in Benin City.
Fred emphasised the essential role of the media in advancing the board’s regulatory mandate, particularly its flagship advocacy campaign in Edo State, Project Healthy Screens. He said the initiative promotes access to safe and culturally appropriate content for children.
He noted that the NFVCB is legally empowered to preview, censor, and classify films and videos before public release, adding that responsible media content is crucial in an era where films increasingly shape speech, fashion, and behaviour.
“Films are powerful cultural tools. Today, they do more than entertain—they influence how people speak, dress, and act. This is why classification is vital, especially to protect children,” Fred stated.
He also explained that the board issues licences to video outlets and film exhibitors to enforce accountability in content distribution, particularly material accessed by young audiences.
Fred further highlighted the board’s media literacy drive under the Nigeria Advisory Board on Censorship (NABC), which runs school outreach programmes to educate students on content classification, internet safety, and the dangers of pornography and media-induced child abuse.
On the regulation of online content, Fred acknowledged the challenges posed by global streaming platforms such as YouTube and TikTok. He disclosed that the board is already engaging major service providers including Netflix and YouTube to implement stricter controls on content targeting children.
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“Our Director-General recently travelled to Europe for talks with these platforms. By year-end, we hope to introduce a system where uploads exceeding three minutes on YouTube must undergo censorship review. It’s a gradual but strategic effort,” he said.
In his response, NAN Zonal Manager Mr Joseph Idika expressed the agency’s readiness to support the NFVCB’s advocacy efforts.
“We operate under the same government, and this partnership is both welcome and timely. NAN will continue to support initiatives like Project Healthy Screens, particularly those that safeguard children and uphold our cultural values,” Idika said.
He added that NAN would assign reporters to cover NFVCB activities across Edo State to strengthen public awareness of content regulation.
The visit concluded with the NFVCB team presenting advocacy materials to the NAN Zonal Office in furtherance of their partnership.
