Nigeria’s National Film & Video Censor Board (NFVCB) and local filmmakers have made proposals for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) agreement.

Revealing the news via its Instagram page, the NFVCB said a forum had been organised to address perceived challenges and suggestions that will form the basis for the trade negotiations.

Adedayo Thomas, NFVCB executive director, said opinions submitted had the potential to reshape the landscape of the Nigerian film industry.

“We are going to have a lot of advantages, and that is the reason why stakeholders and the government are looking into all these things. We have the market and the market drives the economy,” he said.

Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, president of Nigeria’s Association of Movie Producers, said the industry needed to be ready with its own rules and regulations, ensuring young people are still employed and content is protected, noting that there will be problems in the future if this is not the case.

Patrick Lee, chairman of the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria, added: “Being able to promote Nollywood in Nigeria and now being given the opportunity through free trade to establish cinemas outside Nigeria with agreement from other countries will be a big plus for us.”

tagged in: African Continental Free Trade Area, National Film & Video Censor Board