The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has announced plans to honour 23 Nollywood legends at the Peace Anyiam-Osigwe (PAO) Nigeria Digital Content Regulatory Conference scheduled for November 18 and 19, 2025, at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos. The event will be the final industry gathering of the year and will acknowledge practitioners whose careers have shaped the Nigerian film sector.
The honourees include actors, directors and industry contributors such as Desmond Eliot, Rita Dominic, Saeed Mohammed, Oluseyi Siwoku, Aquila Njamah, Sam Dede, Ali Baba, Adebayo Tijani, Taiwo Adeleye, Chimdi Chiama, Segun Arinze, Bond Emoruwa, Ngozi Ezeonu and Steve Gukas.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Nollywood Reporter, NFVCB Executive Director Shaibu Husseini said the recognition is aimed at appreciating those who have played significant roles in the development of Nollywood. “It is both a duty and a privilege for us at the NFVCB to honor those who have given their artistic best into making Nollywood what it is today,” he said.
Husseini explained that the initiative was designed to avoid competitive award categories and instead focus on milestones. The conference will honour practitioners who recently turned 50 or 60, a criterion he described as intentional. According to him, individuals at those ages often have at least three decades of industry experience.
He added that the agency will publish a brochure highlighting the personal journeys of the honourees to inspire emerging filmmakers and young creatives interested in Nollywood’s growth.
As part of the conference, the NFVCB will also present regulated industry recognitions, including awards to box-office leaders and trailblazers in exhibition and distribution.