Lagos did not sleep on Saturday, May 9. The 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards turned the Eko Hotel and Suites into the continent’s most glamorous arena for a night that blended historic wins, emotional speeches, viral comedy, and enough unforgettable fashion to fuel social media for weeks.
This year carried an immediate sense of newness. For the first time since 2013, IK Osakioduwa did not take the hosting stage. In stepped Nigerian comedian Bovi Ugboma and South African actress Nomzamo Mbatha, a pan African duo whose chemistry, humour, and star power kept the energy electric from the first celebrity entrance to the final acceptance speech. Fans broadly called it the freshest change to the ceremony in years, and the duo wasted no time proving why.
When the dust settled on the awards, one title stood above every other, My Father’s Shadow. The Nigerian British co-production, directed by Akinola Davies Jr. and produced by Funmbi Ogunbanwo and Rachel Dargavel, swept five major categories including Best Movie, Best Director, Best Writing, Best Score/Music, and Best Sound Design. Already decorated at BIFA, Cannes, and the Gotham Independent Film Awards before it arrived at the AMVCA, the film’s clean sweep felt both deserved and decisive. It was the kind of win that does not just celebrate a project, it signals a direction for the entire industry.
If one person owned the night, it was Linda Ejiofor. She won Best Lead Actress for The Serpent’s Gift and then, in the same evening, claimed Best Supporting Actress for The Herd, becoming the first actress in AMVCA history to win both acting categories in a single night. The double triumph sparked immediate celebration online, with fans calling it one of the most deserved moments in the awards’ 12 year history. She received her awards in a dazzling emerald green couture gown with crystal embellishments and a flowing train that had already placed her among the best dressed of the night.
Uzor Arukwe matched the emotional intensity with his Best Lead Actor win for Colours of Fire, delivering an acceptance speech that had colleagues on their feet. Bucci Franklin broke down in tears after winning Best Supporting Actor for To Kill a Monkey, a raw, human moment that instantly became one of the most shared clips of the night. Lateef Adedimeji also dedicated his Best Indigenous Film West Africa win for Lisabi: A Legend Is Born to his wife and co star, Mo Bimpe Adedimeji, in one of the evening’s most touching moments.
No result generated more conversation than the complete shutout of Funke Akindele’s Behind the Scenes, Nigeria’s highest grossing film of all time, having crossed ₦2 billion at the box office. The film left the ceremony without a single award and social media erupted almost immediately. Whether one agrees with the outcome or not, no moment better illustrated that the AMVCA jury and the box office operate on entirely separate wavelengths.
Host Bovi delivered two of the night’s sharpest moments. First, he and Nomzamo reenacted the viral clip of Toyin Abraham greeting Funke Akindele at a film premiere, with Bovi playing Toyin and Nomzamo portraying Funke, ending the skit with the punchline, “If I ever present an award to you again, call me a bastard.” The hall erupted with laughter. Later, addressing actor Kunle Remi’s public complaint that winners share trophies, Bovi smiled and joked, “Winners have always had their individual awards. But I understand, Kunle has never won one, so he wouldn’t know.” It was one of the night’s loudest reactions.
The red carpet itself became a spectacle. Hosted by Riyah Abdul, Uti Nwachukwu, and VJ Adams, the carpet delivered nonstop fashion commentary, celebrity interviews, and viral moments. Uche Montana, who received the Trailblazer Award, arrived in a feathered red gown by Weizdhurm Franklyn that drew widespread praise. Idia Aisien wore a form fitting dress constructed entirely from wristwatches. Ghanaian actress Nana Akua Addo stunned in a Gothic cathedral inspired masterpiece complete with pointed spires and dramatic architectural detailing that sparked comparisons to the Met Gala. Reality star Queen Mercy Atang also became an instant viral sensation after stepping out in a bread inspired gown, a nod to her identity as a baker and entrepreneur. Within minutes, social media had crowned her the “ultimate breadwinner.”
The ceremony also paused to honour legends. Kanayo O. Kanayo and Sola Sobowale both received Industry Merit Awards to standing ovations from the audience. Kanayo’s speech, however, extended beyond gratitude as he addressed xenophobic violence in South Africa and urged Africans to stand together against attacks on fellow Africans. In a night filled with celebration, it became one of the most powerful and reflective moments of the ceremony.
Here’s a list of AMVCA winners:
Best Costume Design – (Colours of Fire)– Valerie Okeke
Best Makeup – (Warlord) – Hakeem Onilogbo Best Sound/ Music Design – (My Father’s Shadow) – Pius Fatoke, CJ Mirra Best writing-TV Series – (MTV Shuga Mashariki) – Annette Shadeya, Natasha Likimani, Mkamzee Mwatela, Arnold Mwanjila, Makgano Mamabolo Best Art Direction – (Colours of Fire) – Ajamolaya Bunmi Best Writing – Movie – (My Father’s Shado) – Wale Davies Best Cinematography – (To Kill A Monkey) – Kabelo Thathe Best Digital Content Creator – (Leave To Live) – Emmanuel Kanaga and Sophia Chisom Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa) – Lisabi (A Legend is Born) – Lateef Adedimeji Best Indigenous M-Net Original – Inimba” – Siphosethu Tshapu, Thandi Ramathesele and Yolanda Ndhlovu Best Unscripted Series (Nigerian Idol S10) – Sulaiman Kassim and Anneke De Ridder Best Scripted M-Net Original (The Low Priest) – Femi D. Ogunsanwo Best Supporting Actress(The Herd) – Linda Ejiofor Best Supporting Actor (To Kill a Monkey) – Bucci Franklin Best Lead Actress (The Serpent’s Gift) – Linda Ejiofor Best Lead Actor (Colours of Fire) – Uzor Arukwe
Trailblazer Awards – Uche Montana Lifetime Achievement Award – Sola Sobowale, Kanayo O Kanayo Best Indigenous Film (Central Africa) (Mabanda) – Kang Quintus Best Indigenous Film (North Africa) (Artal Alhanin: Our Memories) – Mohamed Awad and Mohamed Abdulraham Eldouma Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa) (Addis Fikir) – Leul Shoaferaw Best Indigenous Language Film (South Africa) (Tlhaho Ya Mosadi) – Naledi Galane, Promise Ramoroka, Ernest Ramoroka and Modipadi Mokgohioa Best Scripted Series (Inimba) – Siphosethu Tshapu, Thandi Ramathesele and Yolanda Ndhlovu Best Director (My Father’s Shadow) – Akinola Davies Jr Best Movie (My Father’s Shadow)– Funmbi Ogunbanwo and Rachel Dargavel
AMVCA 2026 was more than an awards show. It was proof that African storytelling in film, fashion, comedy, and culture has never been more confident, ambitious, or globally relevant. The trophies have been engraved, the memes are still circulating online, and the debate surrounding Behind the Scenes will likely continue long after this year’s winners are celebrated.
Africa showed up for itself loudly.
