Inside the Biggest Wins and Emotional Moments at AMVCA 2026

The 2026 edition of the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA 2026) delivered more than just trophies and red carpet glamour. From emotional speeches to surprise victories and heartfelt tributes, the night became a celebration of both Nollywood’s present and its legacy.

One of the biggest highlights of the evening was Linda Ejiofor’s major win for Best Actress for her performance in The Serpent’s Gift, while Uzor Arukwe emerged victorious in the Best Lead Actor category for Colours of Fire, beating a highly competitive lineup of nominees.

Behind the camera, Akinola Davies Jr. received the Best Director award for My Father’s Shadow, further cementing the film’s strong awards-season run.

Beyond the competitive categories, the night also paused to honor some of Nollywood’s most respected veterans. Sola Sobowale and Kanayo O. Kanayo were presented with the Industry Merit Award in recognition of their long-standing contributions to African cinema.

But perhaps one of the evening’s most memorable moments came from Uche Montana.

While presenting the award for Best Supporting Actor, the actress jokingly began delivering a fake acceptance speech, thanking God, her family, and co-stars before being playfully interrupted by her co-presenter, who reminded her she was only there to present an award. The audience laughed along, unaware that the moment would soon become unexpectedly prophetic.

Later in the night, Uche Montana was announced as the recipient of the 2026 Trailblazer Award, a category whose nominees are not revealed beforehand. Clearly shocked, the actress broke down in tears as she returned to the stage, turning an earlier joke into one of the ceremony’s most emotional full-circle moments.

The emotional tone of the evening deepened further during the “In Memoriam” segment, where several Nollywood icons who passed away over the last year were honored on screen. The tribute ended with the touching phrase, “Forever in our hearts,” drawing visible emotion from attendees and viewers alike.

Outside the awards themselves, fashion remained a major talking point throughout the night. The AMVCA cultural showcase was widely praised online for its creativity and boldness, with attendees embracing dramatic interpretations of African fashion and culture.

One of the most talked-about looks came from Queen Atang, whose bread-themed outfit quickly sparked reactions across social media.
By the end of the night, the 2026 AMVCAs had delivered everything viewers have come to expect from Nollywood’s biggest awards platform: celebration, spectacle, emotion, and unforgettable moments.

See the full list of winners from the 2026 AMVCAs below:

Leave To Live — Emmanuel Kanaga and Sophia Chisom

Addis Fikir — Leul Shoaferaw

Mabanda — Kang Quintus

Inimba — Siphosethu Tshapu, Thandi Ramathesele and Yolanda Ndhlovu

Out N’ About (Harar) — Bruk Yibrah

Hussainin — Orire Nwani and Josh Olaoluwa

Lisabi: A Legend Is Born — Lateef Adedimeji

Artal Alhanin – Our Memories — Mohamed Awad and Mohamed Abdulraham Eldouma

Tlhaho Ya Mosadi — Naledi Galane, Promise Ramoroka, Ernest Ramoroka, Modipadi Mokgohioa

The Low Priest — Femi D. Ogunsanwo

Nigerian Idol (S10) — Suleiman Kassim and Anneke De Ridder

Inimba — Siphosethu Tshapu, Thandi Ramathesele and Yolanda Ndhlovu

Linda Ejiofor — The Herd

Uzor Arukwe — Colours of Fire

To Kill A Monkey — Kabelo Thathe

Colours of Fire — Ajamolaya Bunmi and Yakub Oladejo

Beyond Olympic Glory — Shedrack Salami

My Father’s Shadow — Duval Timothy and CJ Mirra

MTV Shuga Mashariki — Annette Shadeya, Natasha Likimani, Mkamzee Mwatela, Arnold Mwanjila and Makgano Mamabolo

My Father’s Shadow — Wale Davies

Colours of Fire — Valerie Okeke

My Father’s Shadow — Pius Fatoke and CJ Mirra

Warlord — Hakeem Onilogbo

Linda Ejiofor — The Serpent’s Gift

To Kill A Monkey — Bucci Franklin

Akinola Davies Jr. — My Father’s Shadow

To Kill A Monkey — Daniel Anyiam

My Father’s Shadow — Funmbi Ogunbanwo and Rachel Dargavel

Uche Montana

• Sola Sobowale
• Kanayo O. Kanayo