NFVCB Launches ‘Project Healthy Screens’ To Regulate Movie Content For Children
By Osehobo Ofure, Benin City
The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has introduced a new classification system, “Project Healthy Screens,” aimed at ensuring that movies produced in Nigeria adhere to legal and ethical standards while promoting child-friendly content.
The board announced that the initiative is a significant expansion of its previous classification system, designed to prevent child abuse, curb molestation, and foster religious tolerance and national unity.
By enforcing stricter content guidelines, the NFVCB is hoping to protect children from exposure to inappropriate themes that could negatively impact their upbringing.
Speaking in Benin City, during a visit to the Office of the wife of Edo State Governor, the Head of the NFVCB Benin Centre, Mr. Fred Elakhe, emphasized the agency’s crucial role as a regulatory body under the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy.
He noted that beyond entertainment, movies have a profound influence on society, shaping behavior, language, and even moral values.
“We observed that movies have gone beyond entertainment and information to shaping cultures. The way we dress, speak, or even raise our children has been affected. That’s why we’re committed to protecting our young ones from the negative effects of movies,” Elakhe stated.
He further explained that with “Project Healthy Screens,” the NFVCB will intensify its monitoring and classification processes to ensure that filmmakers adhere to the new standards. The initiative is expected to encourage responsible storytelling while preserving Nigeria’s rich cultural and ethical values in film production.