Since it commenced operations in 1993/94, the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has banned several movies for various reasons. Notable among them are Fifty Shades of Grey, Half of a Yellow Sun, Ìfẹ́, Eternals, and Sugar Rush.

The Nation newspaper reported on February 23, 2015, that the board banned Fifty Shades of Grey because of its sexually explicit scenes, citing public interest as the reason. Before its ban, the film was one of the highest-grossing movies of 2015.

Half of a Yellow Sun was scheduled to hit cinemas on April 25, 2014, before it was banned. According to the board, the film focused heavily on painful episodes in Nigeria’s history, particularly the Nigerian Civil War. Because of its connection to the Biafran War, the board feared it could incite violence. The film was later approved for release in July of the same year.

Pulse Nigeria reported that Ìfẹ́ was banned from online distribution because of its LGBTQ+ theme, which the board argued violated the 2014 Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act.

Although Eternals was not a Nigerian film, it was also banned. One of the board’s responsibilities is to regulate the importation of foreign films and the exportation of Nigerian productions. The Guardian Nigeria reported in its November 8, 2021 online edition that the Marvel film was prohibited because it was perceived to promote the LGBTQ+ community through a same-sex kissing scene.

In the case of Sugar Rush, Premium Times reported on January 13, 2020, that the film was temporarily removed from cinemas because it portrayed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as incompetent. It was later returned to cinemas after certain adjustments were made.

These bans reveal the significant influence the NFVCB has on what audiences can access and consume. While some view censorship as necessary for protecting cultural values and public interest, others argue that it limits artistic freedom and the ability of filmmakers to engage with sensitive social and political issues. As Nigeria’s film industry continues to grow and gain global recognition, the debate between regulation and creative expression remains as relevant as ever.