In a move set to spotlight the achievements of Nigeria’s film industry veterans, the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) announced plans to honour 22 Nollywood practitioners who are reaching milestone ages of 50 and 60 this year.
The recognition will take place during the 2025 Peace Anyiam-Osigwe Nigeria Digital Content Regulatory Conference in Lagos.
Dr. Shaibu Husseini, Chief Executive Officer of NFVCB, disclosed the initiative in a statement on Saturday.
Dr. Husseini alao said the conference, scheduled for November 18–19, will hold under the theme, “From Volume to Value: The Future of Nollywood in the Digital Age.”
According to Husseini, “The honours are intended to recognise individuals whose contributions have significantly shaped the Nigerian film industry.
“Celebrating practitioners who have dedicated decades to excellence in Nollywood is both a responsibility and a privilege,” he said.
The inaugural edition will focus on 22 carefully selected industry veterans, ensuring that the recognition is personal and meaningful.
Among the honourees are prominent actors and filmmakers such as Desmond Elliott, Rita Dominic, Ngozi Ezeonu, Afeez Bello, Adebayo Tijani, Eucharia Anunobi, Kingsley Ogoro, and former Directors’ Guild of Nigeria President Bond Emeruwa.
Dr. Husseini noted that the selected icons represent a diverse spectrum of Nollywood’s most influential creatives, whose work continues to inspire new generations of actors, filmmakers, and audiences alike.
He emphasised that this initiative marks the beginning of an ongoing tradition of institutional recognition for industry pioneers.
“Starting next year, the honour roll will expand to include industry veterans turning 70 and above, those whose pioneering efforts laid the foundation for the Nollywood we celebrate today,” he added.
The NFVCB’s announcement underscores a broader effort to highlight the role of Nigerian creatives in elevating the country’s cultural footprint globally.
It also acknowledged the individuals who have driven Nollywood’s rapid growth over the past decades.
