Censors Board Cites ‘Public Interest’ As The Reason For Taking ‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’ Out Of Nigerian Cinemas

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The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), has cited ‘public interest’ as reason it has banned a foreign film,Fifty Shades of Grey, from Nigerian cinemas.

The film, which had earlier started showing in Nigeria, has also been outlawed by the movie regulatory agency of Kenya.

Patricia Bala, DG of NFVCB

In a statement released at the weekend, the NFVCB further reaffirmed its resolve to attend to submitted movies with utmost dispatch and the display of due diligence in its role as the industry gatekeeper.

According to the agency, a total of 23 movies were approved in December, 2014 and January, 2015.

It explained that out of the movies approved for home viewership in December, 2014, English Language productions topped the list with five films while Bini Language films were four, followed by two Yoruba films and one Hausa Language film. Three of the combined NFVCB approvals were rated “15” while the rest got the “18” rating.

In January, 2015, English Language movies were 10 out of the 11 approved movies, leaving one for Yoruba Language category. Three of the films were rated ‘15’ while the rest had ‘18’ classification.

Among the approved English Language movies for the two months under review are: Here We Stand, The Invisible Bond,Twins Apart, My Brother, My Enemy, Adadioranma, The Baby Must Not Die and Second Burial.

The Bini Language movies include,  Ogue Nozutu and Odumamwen while the Yoruba Language movies include Ayo Igbalaand Aye Keji. Bugu da Kari is the only Hausa Language movie.

All approved movies, the NFVCB said, are to be released with appropriate consumer advisory regarding imitable technique, strong language, violence, drug abuse and fetish rituals.