NFVCB’s Husseini urges stronger distribution channels
By Gbenga Bada The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr Shaibu Husseini, has called for stronger distribution frameworks within Nigeria’s film industry
By Gbenga Bada
The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr Shaibu Husseini, has called for stronger distribution frameworks within Nigeria’s film industry to ensure that locally produced content achieves global visibility.
Husseini made this call while delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2026 edition of the Coal City Film Festival, held in Enugu.
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Welcoming participants to the festival, Husseini expressed personal delight at hosting the event in Enugu, his birth state, noting the city’s rich cultural heritage and longstanding contribution to Nigeria’s creative landscape.
He commended the festival organisers, particularly the Festival Director, Uche Agbo, for their resilience and commitment in sustaining the initiative.
According to him, the Coal City Film Festival has grown into a significant cultural platform and a must-attend cinematic event in South East Nigeria.
Speaking on the festival’s theme, ‘Local Stories, Global Screens,’ Husseini emphasised the importance of authenticity in storytelling.
He noted that films rooted in local realities, languages, and cultural truths often resonate more strongly with global audiences.
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He cited notable Nigerian productions such as ‘King of Boys’ by Kemi Adetiba, ‘The Wedding Party’ by Mo Abudu, ‘Anikulapo’ by Kunle Afolayan, ‘Black Book’ by Editi Effiong, and ‘Lionheart’ by Genevieve Nnaji as examples of culturally grounded stories that have gained international recognition on platforms such as Netflix and at global film festivals.
While acknowledging the growth in film production across Nigeria, the NFVCB boss identified distribution as a major bottleneck in the industry.
He observed that many high-quality films struggle to reach audiences both locally and internationally due to limited distribution channels.
Husseini therefore urged film festivals across the country to evolve beyond networking platforms into active marketplaces where filmmakers can secure distribution deals.
