Why We Allowed the Controversial Film Badagry: I Bad, I Agree to Premiere as Planned – NFVCB

By Peter Dansu  Photo from the Premiere (credit: Destiny Austine Omon )  The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has explained why...

By Peter Dansu 

Photo from the Premiere (credit: Destiny Austine Omon ) 

The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has explained why it allowed the premiere of the controversial film formerly titled “Badagry: I Bad, I Agree” to go ahead as planned on Friday, July 4.

In a statement released on Monday, July 7, the Board said its decision followed a resolution reached with the filmmaker, after concerns were raised over the film’s original title and content, which many believed portrayed the historic town of Badagry in a negative light.

According to the NFVCB, the filmmaker met with representatives of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) and the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), where it was agreed that the title would be changed to “I Bad” and certain aspects of the content would be corrected in line with NFVCB’s recommendations.

“The filmmaker presented proof of these changes,” the Board stated. “Based on this, we granted a provisional approval for the premiere to proceed as advertised. However, this approval does not represent the formal release, distribution, or exhibition of the film.”

The NFVCB emphasized that if the film is eventually released or shown to the public without the agreed modifications, it would amount to a violation of Nigerian film and video laws.

“In such a case,” the Board warned, “we will not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law.”

The statement, jointly endorsed by top industry stakeholders including Amb. Queen Blessing Ebigieson, Victor Okhai, Dudu Baba, and veteran actor Segun Arinze — all of AMP and DGN — signals a united effort by regulatory bodies and industry professionals to maintain standards while allowing creative expression.

The Board’s intervention comes amid widespread public backlash over the film’s original title, which many Badagry residents and cultural advocates condemned as disrespectful and damaging to the town’s image.

By allowing the premiere under strict conditions and demanding visible changes, the NFVCB says it hopes to strike a balance between protecting cultural heritage and supporting the Nigerian film industry.

Further decisions on the film’s full release will depend on compliance with the agreed guidelines.