Veteran Nigerian actor, filmmaker and media entrepreneur Richard Mofe-Damijo, popularly known as RMD, will deliver the keynote address at the sixth International Peace Anyiam-Osigwe (PAO) Nigeria Digital Content Regulation Conference scheduled for November 18–19, 2026, at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
The conference, organised by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), will bring together filmmakers, content creators, distributors, exhibitors, streaming platforms, policymakers, academics and other industry stakeholders to discuss the changing landscape of digital content production, distribution and regulation.
The 2026 edition is themed “Film and Content Production in the Digital Era: Balancing Regulation and Innovation.” It will examine how Nigeria’s creative industry can embrace technological developments while maintaining responsible content standards and protecting audiences.
RMD’s appointment marks a milestone in the conference’s history, as he will become the first male motion-picture practitioner to deliver the keynote address. He follows media entrepreneur Mo Abudu, who delivered the keynote in 2024, and filmmaker and producer Bolanle Austen-Peters, who addressed the conference in 2025.
RMD’s Experience Across Film, Media and Public Service
With more than three decades of experience spanning film, television, journalism, entrepreneurship and public service, Mofe-Damijo has established himself as one of Nigeria’s recognised figures in the entertainment industry.
He has featured in more than 60 film and television productions across Nigerian and international markets, building a career that connects creative performance with business and public-sector experience.
Before becoming widely known for his acting career, RMD worked as a journalist with Nigerian newspapers, including The Guardian and Concord. He later founded MISTER, described in his biography as Nigeria’s first all-gloss men’s lifestyle magazine.
His entrepreneurial activities include White Water Limited, a public relations firm, and RMD Productions. He also served in Delta State’s government, first as Special Adviser and subsequently as Commissioner for Culture and Tourism.
Through the Richard Mofe-Damijo Foundation, he supports initiatives aimed at developing emerging talent, building capacity and creating opportunities through the creative and cultural industries.
His varied professional background is expected to provide useful perspectives on the relationship between artistic expression, commercial sustainability, public policy and the development of Nigeria’s screen industry.
NFVCB Welcomes RMD’s Appointment
The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NFVCB, Dr Shaibu Husseini, expressed delight at RMD’s acceptance of the keynote invitation.
Husseini described the actor’s professional journey as particularly relevant to the issues the conference intends to address.
“We are delighted to have Richard Mofe-Damijo deliver the keynote at this year’s PAO Nigeria Digital Content Regulation Conference. RMD represents a distinctive blend of creative excellence, entrepreneurial experience and public service,” Husseini said.
He added that Mofe-Damijo’s experience across film, media, business and cultural administration would offer valuable perspectives on the opportunities facing Nigeria’s creative industries and the policy discussions needed to sustain their growth.
According to Husseini, the appointment also represents an important moment in the conference’s history, following the previous keynote addresses delivered by Mo Abudu and Bolanle Austen-Peters.
Regulation and Innovation in the Digital Era
The conference comes at a time when digital platforms are changing how films and other audiovisual content are produced, distributed and consumed.
Streaming services, social media platforms and other digital channels have created additional opportunities for filmmakers and content creators to reach audiences beyond traditional cinemas and television networks.
These developments have also raised questions about content standards, audience protection, distribution rights and the responsibilities of platforms operating in a rapidly changing digital environment.
Husseini said the conference would provide an important opportunity for stakeholders to examine how regulation could support innovation rather than hinder it.
“As the boundaries between film, television and digital content continue to evolve, our challenge as regulators is to create an environment where innovation can flourish while protecting audiences, promoting responsible content and supporting the sustainable development of the industry,” he said.
He noted that the conference theme reflects the need to balance these responsibilities while building a stronger and more competitive Nigerian screen industry.
Discussions are expected to cover content production, digital distribution, streaming, technology and the policy frameworks required to strengthen Nigeria’s creative ecosystem.
Conference to Promote Industry Collaboration
The two-day event will serve as a platform for industry participants to exchange knowledge, discuss emerging challenges and explore opportunities for cooperation.
For filmmakers and content creators, the discussions could provide insights into the changing expectations of digital audiences and the regulatory considerations affecting their work.
Distributors, exhibitors and streaming platforms are also expected to contribute perspectives on the commercial and technological developments reshaping the industry.
Policymakers and academics will have an opportunity to examine the policy questions associated with digital content, including how regulatory frameworks can remain relevant as production and distribution methods continue to change.
The conference’s broader objective is to encourage constructive engagement between regulators and industry participants, supporting a creative environment that promotes responsible production while allowing innovation and enterprise to thrive.
Honouring Peace Anyiam-Osigwe’s Legacy
The PAO-NDCRC is an annual platform convened by the NFVCB in honour of the late Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, a pioneering filmmaker and founder of the Africa Movie Academy Awards.
Anyiam-Osigwe played an important role in promoting African cinema and recognising filmmaking talent across the continent. Her contributions continue to influence conversations about the growth, visibility and development of African film.
By bringing industry stakeholders together each year, the conference seeks to sustain dialogue on the issues shaping the future of film and digital content in Nigeria.
The 2026 edition will continue this mission by examining how the industry can respond to technological change, strengthen professional collaboration and develop regulatory approaches suited to the digital era.
With RMD set to deliver the keynote address, organisers expect the conference to draw on his experience across creative production, business and public service as participants consider the future of Nigeria’s screen industry.
The conference is scheduled to hold on November 18 and 19, 2026, at the MUSON Centre in Lagos.
