The curtains have closed on the 11th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, but the echoes of the night still linger. From unforgettable speeches to head-turning fashion and surprise wins, this
year’s edition delivered moments that will be discussed for a long time. Whether you tuned in for the glamour or the glory, AMVCA 11 gave us plenty to reflect on. Here are nine things from the
unforgettable night
Now Let’s Talk About That Teleprompter—Because, Wow.
Whoever was in charge of the teleprompter this year deserves an award… for stress inducement. From start to finish, it seemed like the script operator was either on vibes or had beef with the entire hosting crew. Lines were delayed, jumbled, or just outright missing. At some
point, it was clear: this wasn’t a case of “the host can’t read”
—Chimezie Imo had to disclaim it mid-show, like literally,
“Guys, it’s not me, it’s the teleprompter.”
The award presenters? Bless their hearts. Improvisation became the night’s unofficial theme. People were freestyling like it was an open mic night, making up intros and award categories on
the fly. It was giving “Nollywood meets improv theatre,
” and somehow… We were still entertained.
So We’re Back to the Overcrowded AMVCA? Bet.
Last year, I wrote about how the AMVCA finally felt like an actual “award show”—calm, curated, and classy. It had that soft-glow ambiance, like everyone in the room was meant to be there. It felt intentional. Like a love letter to the industry. But this year? The organisers must have read
my piece and said, “Let’s show you pepper.” Because tell me why the hall was packed to the brim. People standing around. People sitting in
corners. People who had absolutely “no business” being there were everywhere, as if someone said, “You want to snap a red carpet picture? Come in!” Honestly, I stand by it: the AMVCA should be for stakeholders in the actual movie industry—filmmakers, actors, directors, producers, press, media, critics. It’s an award show. And this year’s crowd took away from the poise, the polish, and the prestige the event should have. I
ordered last year’s ambiance. What I got is a strong case of what I ordered VS what I got.
7 Doors Swept Best Male & Female Lead—and Deservedly So!
Let’s talk about a major win: the leads of Netflix’s 7 Doors—Femi Adebayo and Chioma Chukwuka—took home Best Male and Female Lead at AMVCA 11. If that doesn’t scream “certified hit,” I don’t know what does.
Now, full disclosure: I hadn’t watched the show before award night. But best believe by the time you’re reading this, I’ve binge-watched all six episodes of that limited series. And let me tell you—worth it!
Femi Adebayo’s win? Emotional and earned. This is someone who started from the Yoruba side of Nollywood, carved his own lane, and rose out from under his legendary father’s shadow. You could see it in his face—this win meant something. Man was nearly in tears on that stage.
And Chioma Chukwuka? A literal screen queen. I’ve watched her on my TV since I was a kid. Watching her finally get her flowers felt personal. The noise from the hall when her name was called? That was the sound of everyone rooting for her.
Kayode Kasum Will Be Here for a Long Time. Stamp That.
This year’s Trailblazer Award went to none other than Kayode Kasum—and honestly? About time! He’s the first non-actor to win the award in a while, and that alone speaks volumes. A director. A producer. A force.
Kayode’s name has quietly become a constant in Nollywood excellence. At this point, if something brilliant drops and it’s not his direct work, just wait—his fingerprints are somewhere
on it. Whether behind the camera, in the credits, or influencing the overall storytelling vibe, he’s there. This Trailblazer win is more than a pat on the back. It’s a loud, shiny, AMVCA-level “we see you. ” Remember the name—Kayode Kasum. Congratulations, King. This is just the beginning!
Can We Just Go Ahead and Crown Toni Tones “Miss AMVCA” Already?
Because honestly, who else wears the crown this consistently? Year after year, without fail, Toni Tones shows up and shows out. Whether she’s winning an award, nominated, or simply attending, you remember she was at the AMVCA. I still haven’t recovered from that iconic purple dress from years back. It lives rent-free in my head. And this year? Two stunning looks: a sleek, black Yemi Shoyemi number and a sculptural
masterpiece from Style Dejavuu. Couture, class, chic—Toni knows how to dress for a red carpet like it’s second nature. Her stylists also have to share the glory here! If the AMVCA ever handed out a beauty queen crown for “Miss AMVCA”? It’s Toni Tones. No debate.
Last Year Is Still My Favourite AMVCA—And I Stand On That.
I’ve been privileged to attend the AMVCA year after year since 2018, and nothing has topped last year’s 10th anniversary edition. The looks? Flawless. The ambience? Impeccable. The energy? Just the right balance of glam and grace. It felt curated, intentional, and elegant from
start to finish—even the after-party was a better vibe.
I don’t know if it was because it was the 10th one and they put extra effort, or if the team changed, but something about last year just clicked. It was giving awards night meets fashion
gala meets industry celebration. You could feel the pride in the air.
This year had its moments, no doubt—but last year? Last year was magic.
Younger Music Stars Got Their Shine—But Let’s Talk About It.
The AMVCA isn’t just about fashion and film—it’s also known for delivering jaw-dropping, electrifying performances from some of Africa’s biggest music stars. And this year, the spotlight shifted to the next-gen: young Nigerian artists who’ve been setting TikTok and the charts on fire
over the past few months. We had Kunmi serenading the crowd with Arike, Serotonin performing his viral hit Venus, and Shoday lighting up the after-party. Love that for them. It’s always refreshing to see fresh talent
on a stage like this. However—and hear me out—is this sudden wave of up-and-comers getting AMVCA shine because the A-listers (B-listers even) have officially priced themselves out? That said, shoutout
to Johnny Drille. Always a class act, and he delivered one of the most soulful, beautifully crafted performances of the night.
Is It Time to Enforce a Strict Black Tie Dress Code at the AMVCA?
Africans love to show up and show out—it’s in our blood. Especially Nigerians. We don’t do subtle, we do statement. And trust me, I’m all for drama and fashion-forward moments. But let’s be honest: the AMVCA red carpet is starting to feel more like a costume parade than an award
show. And that’s the issue. This isn’t the MET Gala. It’s not a themed runway or a fashion week showcase. It’s an award show—a night to honour the best in film and television. But increasingly, the red carpet antics are overshadowing the actual reason we’re gathered: to
celebrate the craft of storytelling. Let’s take the Oscars, for example. It’s a strict black tie event. No matter how bold your style is, everyone—from Wisdom Kaye to Colman Domingo—finds a way to deliver a look that’s elegant, sharp, and still respectful of the occasion. There’s a discipline to it. A standard. I think the AMVCA needs to head in that direction. Because right now, some of the looks we’re seeing feel more costumey than chic, more shock value than sophistication. And as much as we love the viral moments and the attention they bring, I can’t help but wonder… at what cost? Then again, maybe this is what the organisers want. The over the top outfits get people talking. They bring attention. They go viral. They generate buzz. But when the clothes become the main event, when the red carpet overshadows the award stage, something about the prestige starts to slip. And for an event as important as the AMVCA, that’s something worth thinking about.
Giving Veterans Their Flowers—Before It’s Too Late
This year, Nollywood legends Nkem Owoh and Sani Mu’azu were honoured with the Industry Merit Awards—and honestly, it was a deeply emotional and well-deserved moment. These are men whose faces we grew up watching. Their work helped build the very foundation of
Nollywood as we know it today. It’s easy to get caught up in the glitz, the fashion, and the rising stars—but let’s not forget the
pillars. The storytellers. The actors who were holding it down before streaming deals and viral clips. Nkem Owoh isn’t just a household name—he is an era. Sani Mu’azu, with his depth and presence, helped define a generation of cinematic storytelling. We’ve lost far too many legends without giving them their flowers while they were still here to
smell them.
