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By Adebowale Johnson
In a move to safeguard Nigeria’s creative economy and cultural heritage, the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has initiated strategic talks with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to jointly tackle the rising tide of digital piracy and unlicensed streaming platforms operating within the country.
During a courtesy visit to the NCC headquarters in Abuja, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, Executive Director and CEO of NFVCB, applauded the Commission’s remarkable regulatory success in Nigeria’s communications sector. However, he highlighted the urgent need for enhanced cooperation between the two agencies to protect the Nigerian film industry against evolving digital threats.
Dr. Husseini explained that while NFVCB has traditionally regulated films and video content through censorship, classification, and licensing, the rapid expansion of digital streaming platforms has created disturbing new challenges. Specifically, he raised alarms about the piracy of Nigerian films on encrypted platforms such as Telegram, which has become a major source of revenue loss for content creators, stifling creativity and impacting national security.
Moreover, Dr. Husseini revealed concerns that some telecom operators are now providing streaming services without obtaining the required NFVCB licenses for film exhibition and distribution. This not only breaches regulatory requirements but also exposes Nigerian audiences to unregulated and potentially harmful content, with significant cultural and security implications.
To address these challenges, Husseini called on the NCC to join forces with the Nigerian Copyright Commission and NFVCB in a coordinated effort to clamp down on piracy on encrypted platforms. He also urged telecom operators to comply with licensing regulations to ensure all streamed content meets national standards. A proposal to establish a joint technical committee to harmonize regulatory oversight was also tabled to enhance enforcement.
Responding on behalf of the NCC, the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama, a lawyer, expressed strong support for the partnership. She disclosed plans for a forthcoming Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NCC and NFVCB, designed to facilitate prompt intervention when violations are identified. Makama also highlighted NCC’s ongoing commitment to measures protecting children online and affirmed the Commission’s intent to probe reports of unlicensed streaming and piracy, describing the latter as a “form of cybercrime.”
Husseini concluded with a powerful reminder that Nigeria’s film industry is both a cultural treasure and an economic powerhouse. Protecting it, he said, is a matter of national interest that demands collective action. The collaboration between NFVCB and NCC promises not only to secure a safer digital entertainment environment but also to foster a fair marketplace where Nigeria’s creative talents can thrive.
