The 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards delivered the glamour, emotional wins, and defining career moments audiences have come to expect from Nollywood’s biggest night, while once again proving that the red carpet remains one of the event’s most talked-about attractions.
Held at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, the just-concluded ceremony brought together some of the biggest names in African film, television, and entertainment for a night that celebrated storytelling, talent, and the growing influence of the continent’s creative industries.
The evening opened with remarks from Kemi Owatemi Omotosho, Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria, who reflected on the continued growth of African storytelling and the importance of platforms that celebrate and amplify creative excellence across the continent. The Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also addressed attendees, acknowledging the impact of the creative industry on culture and economic growth, while reaffirming the importance of continued support for the sector.
This year also marked a notable shift in hosting, with comedian Bovi Ugboma and South African actress Nomzamo Mbatha taking over presenting duties following the absence of longtime host IK Osakioduwa, whose presence had become closely associated with the awards over the years.
The night’s biggest winner was My Father’s Shadow, the critically acclaimed film by Akinola Davies Jr., which emerged with five major awards, including Best Movie, Best Director, Best Writing in a Movie, Best Score/Music, and Best Sound Design.
Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman also made AMVCA history, becoming the first actor to win both Best Lead Actress and Best Supporting Actress in the same night, one of the evening’s standout moments.
Other major wins included Uzor Arukwe for Best Lead Actor, Bucci Franklin for Best Supporting Actor, while veterans Kanayo O. Kanayo and Sola Sobowale were honoured with Industry Merit Awards in recognition of their immense contributions to Nollywood. Uche Montana also received the Trailblazer Award, marking another major career milestone.
The ceremony also reinforced the AMVCA’s continental reach, with recognition extending beyond Nigeria and reflecting the broader African entertainment landscape the awards continue to champion.
But while the awards celebrated cinematic excellence, another familiar narrative unfolded outside the hall.
Over the years, the AMVCA red carpet has grown from a celebrity arrival moment into a spectacle of its own, becoming one of the most anticipated parts of the annual event.
This year’s theme, Honouring Craft, Celebrating Culture, gave attendees room for interpretation, and many embraced it fully.
The carpet delivered everything audiences now expect — elegance, drama, experimental fashion, sculptural silhouettes, theatrical embellishments, and the kind of bold looks designed to spark conversation. Some outfits were instantly celebrated. Others divided opinion. A few left social media in full debate.
And that has become part of the AMVCA experience.
The red carpet is no longer simply about who wore what. It has evolved into a major cultural showcase for fashion, styling, beauty, and creative expression, running almost parallel to the awards themselves.
This year was no different.
While the ceremony delivered historic wins, emotional milestones, and a strong showing for African storytelling, the fashion once again proved impossible to ignore — from striking couture moments to bold experimental looks that kept social media talking.
Twelve editions in, the AMVCA has firmly established itself not just as Nollywood’s biggest awards night, but as one of Africa’s most significant entertainment and style events.
