Broadcasting
NFVCB Boss Calls on Nasarawa to Harness Opportunities in Film Industry
Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, executive director, National Film and Video Censors Board ((NFVCB) has called on Engr. Abdullahi Sule , governor of Nasarawa State, to establish Nasarawa State Film Classification Board in order to harness opportunities in the industry.
Nasarawa is contiguous to the nation’s capital resulting in inflow and outflow of businesses from both sides.
According to Thomas, the essence of creating a film classifications board is to oversee the development of movie industry in the state, preserve and protect cultural and moral values of the state, thereby creating more jobs, boosting the state revenue base and projecting cultural her values to the world.
He gave this call at the phase 11 of the Nassarawa Youth Empowerment and Capacity Building Programme held earlier in the week at Canal Olympia, Mararaba, Nasarawa state, adding that the programme entails the sensitasation of youths on the importance of film classification and censorship and the various openings in the film and video sector that they can leverage to empower themselves.
Thomas said he believes there is an urgent need to tap into the inherent opportunities and gains in the film industry for the state, noting that Nigeria is now the new emerging film market in the global space.
“It is in our interest that this development will underpin the people driven policies and strides of the government and endear it more to the people of the state”, he said.
The event, with the theme, ‘Revisiting the Fundamentals of Cinema Culture’, is a prelude to the grand opening of a 300-seater capacity green multipurpose cinema by Canal Olympia.
“This cinema would be an innovative, modern and multipurpose space for talent incubation and home for new and emerging talents. It has the modest potential to create 100,000 direct and indirect jobs within the Mararaba and Karu axis of Nasarawa State alone, with its attendant huge revenue streams to the federal and state governments. The cinema is expected to be completed in November 2019, while operations will commence in December 2019.
“Nigeria Film Industry has enjoyed tremendous success including the reported 758.1 million naira realised from movie sales at weekends between January -March 2919 alone; while the Nigerian film industry recently surpassed India’s Bollywood to become the second largest film industry on the planet after Hollywood, with Nollywood marking up 5% of Nigeria’s total GDP and creating about five million jobs.
Giving account of the board so far, he said the 2018 revenue increased by about 25.5% from that of 2017 to about $3.8 billion, explaining that the board has since the inception of the current management classified a total of 1851 films.
This he said is a sharp rise from an annual average of 30 percent despite the industry churning out about 1,600 movies yearly.
“The number of approved screens has surged from five to about forty five. While are not resting on our oars and have set a target to increase this number exponentially, we are confident that the improvements are all signs of the growing confidence in the board and the security of the market for investment, having improved on our media literacy and sensitization drive by directly reaching out to the underserved in terms of information dissemination, public enlightenment and reenergizing our enforcement and compliance activities”.
The Governor of Nasarawa State commended the National Film and Video Censors Board for the initiative aimed at sanitising our youths and women on the imperative of film classification and censorship including various opportunities in the film and video sector which our youth could leverage to empower themselves for self-reliance and prosperity.
He added that the upsurge in the industry calls for appropriate regulation and censorship to guard against piracy and other abuse capable of undermining the culture and tradition of people.
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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