The Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board (LSFVCB) says it has issued more than 2,000 filming permits to filmmakers and production companies in the last year, saying that the development reinforces Lagos’ dominance as Nigeria’s film production hub.
The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, said the permits covered feature films, documentaries, short films, and commercial productions filmed within Lagos State.
She made this known on Wednesday in Lagos during the ongoing annual Ministerial Press Briefing, commemorating the seventh year in office of the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.
Benson-Awoyinka attributed the increase in filming permits issued to filmmakers to the rapid growth of the State’s creative economy and the increasing attractiveness of Lagos to filmmakers across Africa.
In the same vein, the Commissioner revealed that over 10,000 young creatives have been trained through LSFVCB’s partnerships with Del-York Creative Academy, Ebony Life Creative Academy, GIDI Creative Academy, and African Film Academy.
According to the Commissioner, the training programmes were designed to equip emerging talents with industry-standard skills capable of competing globally.
She added that the State Government remains committed to strengthening intellectual property protection and tackling piracy, which Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu identified as a major challenge confronting Nollywood during the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
She recalled that LSFVCB further collaborated with several film festivals and creative organisations, including the Badagry International Film Festival, Lagos International Festival of Animation, and Silverbird Film Distribution.
