The 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards 2026 delivered glamour, emotional moments, and major surprises as Africa’s biggest stars gathered at the Eko Hotel and Suites on Saturday night for one of the continent’s most prestigious entertainment events.

The ceremony, which began at 7 p.m., celebrated excellence in African film, television, and digital storytelling, with several Nollywood productions dominating the night.

SEE ALSO: All The Winners From The 2025 AMVCA Awards [Full List]

One of the biggest highlights of the evening was the dominance of “My Father’s Shadow,” which emerged as the biggest winner after clinching Best Movie, Best Director, Best Writing – Movie, and Best Sound/Sound Design.

Reality TV also had a strong showing as “Nigerian Idol” Season 10 won the Best Unscripted Series category.

The awards ceremony was broadcast live across Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv, attracting millions of viewers across the continent.

Full List of Winners and Nominees at AMVCA 2026

Best Costume Design

Winner: “Colours of Fire” – Valerie Okeke

Nominees:
“The Serpent’s Gift” – Mary Chukuma
“The Real Housewives of Lagos (S3)” – Deola Art Alade, Darey Art Alade
“Something About The Briggs” – Yolanda Okereke
“To Kill a Monkey” – Ikechukwu Urum, John Joseph Angel

Best Makeup

Winner: “Warlord” – Hakeem Onilogbo

Nominees:

“Behind The Scenes” – Mojisola Imam
“Lisabi (A Legend Is Born)” – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye
“Gingerrr” – Diablaq Artistry
“Abanisete” – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye
“Suky” – Ruth Harcourt
“Labake Olododo” – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye

Best Sound/Sound Design

Winner: “My Father’s Shadow” – Pius Fatoke, CJ Mirra

Nominees:

“Gingerrr” – Tolu Obanro
“Ben Made It” – Vaughan Phillips
“The Party” – Tolu Obanro
“Sebata (The Beast)” – Vaughan Phillips
“The Herd” – Fisayo Adefolaju

Best Writing – TV Series

Winner: “MTV Shuga Mashariki” – Annette Shadeya, Natasha Likimani, Mkamzee Mwatela, Arnold Mwanjila, Makgano Mamabolo

Nominees:
“The Wives” – Donald Tombia, Timendu Aghahowa, Chiemeka Osuagwu
“Our Husband” – Xavier Ighorodje
“Addis Fikir” – Besufekade Mulu
“Baba OH” – Temilola Balogun
“The Party” – Stephen Okonkwo
“Gizat” – Yednekachew Ayne

Best Art Direction

Winner: “Colours of Fire” – Ajamolaya Bunmi

Nominees:
“The Serpent’s Gift” – Zainab Oladupupo
“The Herd” – Omolade Abisola
“Aljana” – Olatunji Afolayan, Gideon Stephen
“Suky” – Victor Akpan
“Inimba” – Thabiso Senne

Best Writing – Movie

Winner: “My Father’s Shadow” – Wale Davies

Nominees:
“The Herd” – Lani Aisida
“Blackout” – Ikenna Okpara
“Cards on the Table” – Shirleen Wangari
“Gingerrr” – Xavier Ighorodje
“Suky” – Isaac Ayodeji
“3 Cold Dishes” – Tomi Adesina

Best Cinematography

Winner: “To Kill A Monkey” – Kabelo Thathe

Nominees:
“My Father’s Shadow” – Jermaine Edwards
“The Herd” – Emmanuel Igbekele
“Finding Nina” – Daanong Gyang
“The Serpent’s Gift” – Emmanuel Igbekele
“Stitches” – KC Obiajulu
“Gingerrr” – Emmanuel Igbekele

Best Digital Content Creator

Winner: “Leave To Live” – Emmanuel Kanaga and Sophia Chisom
Nominees:
“Luxury Koko” – Maryam Apaokagi-Greene (Taaoma)
“The Marriage List” – Destiny Ogie Osarewinda
“The Rate Race” – Benedict Ehimare Oriaifo
“August Meeting Election” – Steve Chuks
“Did I Just Hear Muah” – Akwaman

Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa)

Winner: “Lisabi (A Legend is Born)” – Lateef Adedimeji

Nominees:
“The Serpent’s Gift” – Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi
“Labake Olododo” – Iyabo Ojo and team
“Aljana” – Grace Yachat Yakubu
“Olorisha” – Abiola Adeshina

Best Indigenous M-Net Original

Winner: “Inimba” – Siphosethu Tshapu, Thandi Ramathesele and Yolanda Ndhlovu

Nominees:

“Kukoyi” – David Akande

“Undugu” – Hatibu Madudu
“Out N’ About (Harar)” – Bruk Yibrah
“Kamapala Creme” – Joel Ndugwa
“The Chocolate Empire” – Grace Kahaki and Phillippe Bresson
“Mgbuka” – Eze Izu

Best Unscripted Series

Winner: “Nigerian Idol (S10)” – Sulaiman Kassim and Anneke De Ridder

Nominees:

“The Real Housewives of Lagos (S3)” – Deola Art Alade, Darey Art Alade
“Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa” – Graeme Swanepoel
“Off Air” – Gbemi and Toolz
“Out N’ About” – Bruk Yibrah

Best Scripted M-Net Original

Winner: “The Low Priest” – Femi D. Ogunsanwo

Nominees:
“Adam to Eve” – Lizz Njagah and Alexandros Konstantaras
“Mother of the Brides” – Rogba Arimoro and Bio Arimoro
“The Yard” – James Kalu Omokwe
“Bobo” – Maurice Muendo

Best Supporting Actress

Winner: Linda Ejiofor – “The Herd”

Nominees:
Olamide Kidbaby – “Oversabi Aunty”
Bisola Aiyeola – “Gingerrr”
Sola Sobowale – “The Covenant Series”
Nadia Dutch – “Aljana”
Amal Umar – “The Herd”
Juliebrenda Nyambura – “MTV Shuga Mashariki”
Funke Akindele – “Behind the Scenes”

Best Supporting Actor

Winner: Bucci Franklin – “To Kill a Monkey”

Nominees:
Simileoluwa Hassan – “The Yard”
Lateef Adedimeji – “Gingerrr”
Gabriel Afolayan – “Colours of Fire”
Femi Adebayo – “King of Thieves 2”
Lateef Adedimeji – “Red Circle”
Femi Branch – “Owambe Thieves”
Uzor Arukwe – “Behind the Scenes”

Best Lead Actress
Winner: Linda Ejiofor – “The Serpent’s Gift”

Nominees:
Bimbo Akintola – “To Kill A Monkey”
Ifeoma Fafunwa – “The Lost Days”
Ariyike Owolagba – “Something About The Briggs”
Sola Sobowale – “Her Excellency”
Scarlet Gomez – “Behind the Scenes”
Genoveva Umeh – “The Herd”
Gloria Anozie-Young – “Mother of the Brides”

Best Lead Actor
Winner: Uzor Arukwe – “Colours of Fire”

Nominees:
Mike Ezuruonye – “Oversabi Aunty”
Lateef Adedimeji – “Lisabi: A Legend Is Born”
William Benson – “To Kill A Monkey”
Kanayo O. Kanayo – “Grandpa Must Obey”
Khumbuza Meyiwa – “Bet I Love You”
Wale Ojo – “3 Cold Dishes”
Femi Branch – “Red Circle”

Trailblazer Award
Winner: Uche Montana

Lifetime Achievement Award

Winners: Sola Sobowale, Kanayo O. Kanayo

Best Indigenous Language Film (Central Africa)
Winner: “Mabanda” – Kang Quintus

Nominees:
“Safou (A Gift From Nature)” – Nyasha Makamba
“Golden Spoon” – Egbe Francis Ettabrown

Best Indigenous Language Film (North Africa)
Winner: “Artal Alhanin: Our Memories” – Mohamed Awad and Mohamed Abdulraham Eldouma

Nominees:
“The Omnipresent” – Youssef Ben Khalifa
“The Delivery” – Abdalla Ezyan
“The Hidden Voice” – Houssem Eddine Abdelwahed
“This Is Portsaid” – Abdalla Ezyan

Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa)
Winner: “Addis Fikir” – Leul Shoaferaw

Nominees:
“Inside Job” – Kamau Wandug’u, Joe Mahinda and Barbara Njeri Maina
“Sayari” – Omar Hamza and June Wairegi
“My Son” – Isarito Mwakalindile
“Kimote” – Hassan Mageye

Best Indigenous Language Film (South Africa)
Winner: “Tlhaho Ya Mosadi” – Naledi Galane, Promise Ramoroka, Ernest Ramoroka and Modipadi Mokgohioa

Nominees:
“Bet I Love You” – Joseph Duke and Keamogetse Modise
“Sebata (The Beast)” – African Entertainers
“Ben Made It” – Thabang Mathuumetse and Thapelo Dikhutso
“Terra of Queens and Kuma 2” – Neo Leonardo Mokoena

Best Scripted Series
Winner: “Inimba” – Siphosethu Tshapu, Thandi Ramathesele and Yolanda Ndhlovu

Nominees:
“To Kill a Monkey” – Kemi Adetiba
“The Yard” – James Kalu Omokwe
“The Chocolate Empire” – Grace Kahaki and Philippe Bresson
“Kash Money” – Grace Kahaki and Phillipe Benson

Best Director
Winner: “My Father’s Shadow” – Akinola Davies Jr

Nominees:
“Cordelia” – Tunde Kelani
“Osamede” – James Kalu Omokwe
“The Herd” – Daniel Etim Effiong
“Gingerrr” – Yemi Filmboy Morafa
“3 Cold Dishes” – Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi

Best Movie
Winner: “My Father’s Shadow” – Funmbi Ogunbanwo and Rachel Dargavel

Nominees:
“Gingerrr” – Ope Ajayi, Bisola Aiyeola, Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, Wumi Toriola, Bolaji Ogunmola and Onyeka Nnama
“The Herd” – Daniel Etim Effiong, Efe Ejukoriem, Ulogo Chukwudi, Kene Okwuosa, Craig Shurn and Ladun Awobokun
“3 Cold Dishes” – Martial Dansou, Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi and Ly Oumar
“The Serpent’s Gift” – Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi
“Behind the Scenes” – Funke Akindele and Wendy Uwadie Imaseun

Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold has addressed widespread online speculation claiming that he and his wife, fellow musician Simi recently welcomed twins, clarifying that the reports are false.

The award-winning artiste made the clarification during a recent interview with Great Day Houston, where he spoke about his family life and creative partnership with his wife.

SEE ALSO: Simi Urges Parents To Raise Independent, Self-Sufficient Daughters

Adekunle Gold described marriage to Simi as both inspiring and creatively fulfilling, noting that sharing a home with another songwriter allows them to exchange ideas and support each other musically.

He also expressed joy about their growing family, hinting at the excitement of raising children who may show interest in music.

However, addressing the viral rumours directly, the singer dismissed claims that the couple had welcomed twins.

“That is just the internet talking. We didn’t have twins, we have a son,” he clarified.

The clarification comes months after the couple announced the arrival of their second child in April, without initially revealing the baby’s gender or name—an omission that sparked widespread speculation online.

Adekunle Gold and Simi got married in January 2019 and welcomed their first child, Adejare, in 2020.

The couple remains one of Nigeria’s most admired celebrity music couples, known for balancing their public careers with private family life.

The desire to create community prosperity and productive engagement for youths has driven Osun State to tap into the two trillion dollar global creative industry economy.

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke made the assertion after the massively attended concert organised by his son, B-Red and other music stars at Osogbo.

“The creative sector is a gold mine. It is an area I know holds huge potential for our youth and that is why I personally attended the free concert. I choose to boost the entertainment sector using my family brand which is very big in the Nigerian and global music industry.

“Osun is destined to be the hub of global entertainment. We have all the big stars and the network. An annual concert in Osun will boost local commerce and provide upward movement for local artistes.

“I expect the organisers to build on the successes recorded today. By 2027, a similar concert in expanded format should be held. Osun should become the rallying point of the creative industry, not only in Osun State but across Nigeria”, the governor posited.

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Commenting on the maiden event, the chief organiser and son of the Governor, Adebayo Adeleke (B-Red) expressed happiness that despite the initial rain, the concert was held with massive attendance of music enthusiasts across the state.

“I thank God, my father, the governor, the government of Osun State and all partners for the successful outing. We plan to make it an annual event to feature leading musicians and artists from far and near.

“Personally, my goal is to provide a platform for upcoming artists to be mentored and to be afforded the opportunity to be seen. Our concert is designed to build careers and make a success out of many aspiring youth”, B-Red noted.