Eniola Akinkuotu, Abuja

The National Film and Video Censors Board says Nigerian movies generated nearly between N6.4bn and N6.7bn at cinemas nationwide in 2019.

The NVFCB, Executive Director, Adedayo Thomas, said this during an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday.

The agency is responsible for classifying and approving the release of Nigerian movies.

Thomas, however, told our correspondent that the money generated from DVDs could be higher.

According to him, the number of Nigerians watching movies at cinemas is still not up to 20 per cent of the nation’s population.

He said, “The box office generated almost N7bn in 2019. Between N6.4bn an N6.7bn was generated. But from information at our disposal, the money generated from DVD sales might have been higher.

“This is because less than 20 per cent of the population is watching movies at cinemas.”

Some of the movies that generated over N100m at the box office last year were Living in Bondage (N160m), Another Mission (N141m) and Bling Lagosians (N120m).

Sugar Crush, which was released on December 25, 2019 but suspended by the NFVCB, generated about N150m as of January 9, 2020.

Reacting to the suspension of the movie from the cinemas.

Thomas said it had nothing to do with the movie’s plot which some believe mocks the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

He explained that Sugar Rush did not have full approval before hitting the cinemas.

The NFVCB boss said the movie was given a temporary approval pending the classification and final approval of the movie, adding that the period within which the temporary approval could be used had elapsed.

Thomas said he had met with the producers of the movie and he was hopeful that things would be resolved soon.

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