In a significant step toward deepening the relationship between Nigeria's creative industry and national security institutions, the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), alongside key stakeholders in the Edo State film and creative industry, paid a high-level courtesy visit to the Commander of the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army Headquarters in Benin City, Edo State.
The visit, which took place on Tuesday, April 29, 2026, signals a growing recognition that the Nigerian film industry and the country's defence establishment share a common stake in shaping public perception, promoting national values, and inspiring responsible storytelling across the nation's screens.
A Delegation Rooted in Industry Strength
The delegation was led by the Executive Director/CEO of the NFVCB, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, ably represented by the Head of the NFVCB Benin Centre, Mr. Elakhe O. Fred. Flanking him were the most senior voices of the state's organized creative community — the Chairman of the Congress of Edo Movie Practitioners, Mr. Peddy Okao; the Chairman of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Edo State Chapter, Mr. Davidson Izegaegbe; the Governor of the Association of Nigerian Movie Directors (ANMD), Mr. Dickson Osazee; the Edo State Chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Mr. Opute Joel; and the State Chairman of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Mr. Derek Igbinakenzua.
The breadth and seniority of the delegation underscored the seriousness of purpose behind the initiative — a clear message that the creative industry in Edo State is ready for strategic engagement at the highest levels.
Warm Reception at Brigade Headquarters
The team was warmly received at the Brigade Headquarters by the Commander, Brigadier General A.O. Balogun, who was joined by senior principal officers of the Brigade. The atmosphere, by all accounts, was one of mutual respect and shared national purpose — two institutions, distinct in their mandates yet united in their commitment to the Nigerian project, sitting across the table to explore what they could build together.
The Conversations That Matter
Discussions during the visit spanned several areas of critical importance to both sectors. Chief among them was the urgent need to generate authentic military stories within the Nigerian film industry. For decades, the portrayal of the Nigerian military in local film and television productions has been a subject of concern — sometimes caricatured, often inaccurate, and rarely reflective of the professionalism and sacrifice that define the institution. The conversation confronted that gap directly.
Both parties also discussed content regulation and the broader responsibility of the creative industry in shaping public attitudes toward the military and national security. Conversations touched on capacity building and training opportunities that could expose filmmakers, directors, and producers to accurate military protocols, language, and operational realities — equipping them to tell more credible and impactful stories.
Crucially, the role of film and creative content as a strategic instrument for youth engagement and national development was also foregrounded. In a country where young people consume film content voraciously, the power of cinema to orient, inspire, and redirect cannot be overstated.
"Our Army Comes From Our Families"
Speaking during the engagement, Mr. Elakhe O. Fred, who was representing the ED of the NFVCB, emphasised the growing role of the creative industry as a platform for national orientation, security awareness, cultural promotion, and positive storytelling. He made the case that a closer alliance between filmmakers and the Nigerian Army would drive professionalism, improve accuracy, and help reshape the narrative around military operations and national security themes in Nigerian productions.
Brigadier General A.O. Balogun's response was both commendatory and candid. Welcoming the initiative warmly, he assured the delegation of the Army's full willingness to support meaningful collaborations that serve the twin interests of the creative sector and national development.
His most striking remark, however, was a call for greater civic understanding of the military institution itself. "The Nigerian Army is our Army," the Brigade Commander stated plainly, "because its members are made up from various families." It was a humanising reminder — that the men and women in uniform are brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters drawn from the very communities that filmmakers seek to represent. He further stressed the importance of constructive partnerships capable of promoting patriotism, responsible storytelling, youth development, and public enlightenment.
Industry Pledges Sustained Engagement
Members of the creative industry delegation left the Brigade Headquarters energised. They expressed collective excitement over the initiative and pledged to sustain and deepen their working relationship with the NFVCB in advancing professional standards, industry growth, and strategic partnerships with relevant government institutions.
The visit concluded on a warm note, with an exchange of gifts between both parties — a symbolic gesture of goodwill and mutual commitment — before a group photograph was taken to commemorate what many present described as a historic first step.
What Comes Next
The NFVCB Benin Centre's initiative in Edo State is part of a broader pattern of engagement under the leadership of Dr. Shaibu Husseini, Executive Director/CEO of the NFVCB, whose tenure has been defined by a drive to position the Board not merely as a regulatory authority but as a strategic partner in Nigeria's national development conversation. From stakeholder engagement to digital content regulation, and now to defence-creative sector collaboration, the NFVCB continues to expand the boundaries of what film regulation can mean for a growing nation.
The Benin City meeting may well be the beginning of something transformative — a model that other NFVCB zonal offices and state-level industry bodies across the country may look to replicate.
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