Broadcasting
NFVCB Blacklists Illegal Film Producers, Distributors
National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has blacklisted some illegal film producers and distributors who do not belong to registered professional association in the creative industry.
Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, executive director, NFVCB, stated this during the board’s stakeholders engagement on double taxation and over-regulation in Lagos that the decision was taken to further sanitise the film industry and ensure that illegitimate operators were sieved out from the obedient and upright ones.
According to him, the blacklisted producers and distributors will no longer be able to submit their finished works to any of the television stations until they are able to perfect documentation with the appropriate authorities.
He called on multichoice subsidiaries to ensure that only films from licenced distributors were approved for a stronger front.
Thomas noted that blacklisted practitioners would have to pay some fines and go through the due process like others.
” You can only bring a film to the board for censorship and classification if you are a registered producer, we have over 50,000 producers across the nation.
” You must be a registered producer before you can produce any movie. We decided not to mention any of the blacklisted producers and distributors, but this will serve as deterrent to others.
” Only registered members from the professional association of operators within the film and video industry shall be eligible to present finished films and video works to the board for preview and regulation.
” The NFVCB CAP N40 2004 and regulations 2008 empowers the board to accept movies from only members of approved associations and guilds in the industry,” he said.
Thomas said that to strengthen various guilds and associations to become formidable allies, the NFVCB had categorised all practitioners under three broad titles: producers, distributors and exhibitors.
” We are currently working with our digital transmission consultant to have a comprehensive list of registered guilds, associations and members published on our website with a little service charge on each listed member,” he said.
On tax, the NFVCB boss said he contacted Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, state Commissioner for Tourism, on the five per cent tax imposed on content producers by Lagos State Films and Video Censors Board (LSFVCB).
” We are all aware of the recent release by the LSFVCB demanding that all creators should register their content within 30 days with five per cent levy charge.
” Due to the quake generated by aggrieved practitioners, the leadership of the Lagos board has requested for calm, pending the release of a comprehensive policy document or statement.
” I have reached out to the state Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, who seems not to have been briefed as the head of the supervisory ministry of LSFVCB by the management of the Lagos board before issuing the statement.
” She was categorical on her position and promised to take necessary action.
” Also, the leadership of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) whom the management hung to, in order to give credence to the policy directive, has come out to debunk the endorsement of the issued statement,” Thomas said.
He said that the burning issues of multiple taxation and over regulation which LSFVCB’s five per cent tax brought to the fore were not representative of the ease of doing business policy of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
Mr. Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, took centre stage at the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) annual end-of-year meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, recounting the company’s remarkable growth and reaffirming free IT training for journalists.
Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, in a group photograph with NITRA Members
Speaking directly to IT media members at the company’s training facility in Lagos, Akano acknowledged the critical role journalists played in supporting New Horizons during its formative years two decades ago.
He detailed how the firm evolved from a handful of staff to one of Africa’s leading ICT skills training organisations, now employing about 500 staff across multiple training centres nationwide.
Akano Spotlights Youth Training, University Partnerships
Akano highlighted that New Horizons has trained over 500,000 youths, particularly tertiary institution students, equipping them with practical IT skills essential for Nigeria’s digital economy.
He announced recent partnerships with universities, including a new agreement with Afe Babalola University, to scale hands-on training programmes for students.
“This growth would not have been possible without the media’s support in documenting our journey,” Akano stated, pledging continued free IT skills training for media members to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.
Reciprocal Support Defines Long-Standing Partnership
The venue hosting the NITRA meeting underscored Akano’s generosity; NITRA Secretary Chidiebere Nwankwo secured the free facility after contacting him—a gesture consistent with New Horizons hosting multiple association events and training IT journalists since its inception 20 years ago.
Participants shared personal testimonies of Akano’s support, including veteran journalist Aaron Ukodie, whose daughter—an Accounting graduate from the University of Johannesburg—received NYSC placement and IT scholarship at New Horizons.
The Guardian’s Yemi Adeyemi recounted Akano accommodating his editor’s child for mandatory IT training after other firms declined.
Members praised Akano’s commitment to human capital development as evidence of deep appreciation for the media community that chronicled New Horizons’ success over two decades.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched the NIMC Pre-Enrolment Portal to revolutionise the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process, enabling applicants within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to capture biodata online prior to biometric verification at enrolment centres.
NIMC
Accessible via penrol.nimc.gov.ng, the platform allows users to fill enrolment forms, schedule appointments, upload supporting documents securely, and manage personal details directly, thereby slashing congestion, minimising wait times, boosting data accuracy and enhancing overall service efficiency at centres nationwide.
NIMC Director-General and CEO, Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, spearheaded the initiative as part of the Commission’s technology-driven strategy to fortify institutional performance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that emphasises digital transformation, efficient public service delivery and inclusive national development.
Dr Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted key benefits including simplified biodata handling, confidential data protection through robust security measures, reduced physical centre visits and heightened operational effectiveness, urging all prospective enrollees to adopt the portal for a faster, citizen-friendly experience.[conversation_history]
The move underscores NIMC’s mandate under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to manage the National Identity Database, issue NINs and foster a reliable digital identity ecosystem vital for national planning, with users advised to complete pre-enrolment online before heading to selected centres for biometrics.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.
MultiChoice
The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.
According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.
Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.
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