Entertainment
Nominees For 2023 AMAA Awards Revealed [Full List]
On Thursday, The Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) organizers officially revealed the nominees for the 19th edition of this prestigious continental film event.
The upcoming 2023 AMAA Awards will encompass a total of 26 categories, among them the highly anticipated Best Nigerian Film category.
Notable contenders in this category include “Gangs of Lagos,” “Brotherhood,” “Anikulapo,” “Mami Wata,” “4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four),” “L.I.F.E,” and “The Trade.”
See the full list below:
Efere Ozako Award for Best Short Film
• Lions – Ethiopia
• Riel – Namibia
• Enmity Djin – Mauritania
Jubril Malaifia Award for Best Animation
• Lost – Uganda
• Azania Rises – South Africa • Jabari – Ghana
• Bashorum Gaa – Nigeria
Best Documentary
• Africa Cradle of Humanity and Modern CivilizaHon – Senegal/Canada
• Nightlife in Lasgidi – Nigeria
• Maayo Wonaa Keerol – The River is not a Border –
Senegal
• Ifine (Beauty) – Sierra Leone
• LeSpectre de Boko Haram – Cameron
Ousmane Sembene Award for Best Film in an African Language
• Pusha Pressa Phanda – South Africa •
• Anikulapo – Nigeria
• The Kitera Chronicle – Uganda
• Four Walls – South Africa
• Mami Wata – Nigeria
Michael Anyiam Osigwe Award for Best Film by an African-Born Director Living Abroad
• Talia’s Journey – Christophe Rolin (Senegal/Belgium)
• Golden Stripes – Peace Osigbe (Nigeria/UK)
• KOFA – Jude Idada (Nigeria/Canada)
Best Diaspora Short Film
• We Were Meant To – (United States) – directed by Tari Wariebi
• The Ballad of Olive Morris – (United Kingdom) – directed by Alex Kayode-Kay
• Fifty-Four Days – (United Kingdom) – directed by Cat White and Phoebe Torrance
• Raw Materials – (Jamaica – directed by Sosiessia Nixon-Kelly
Best Diaspora Documentary
• Sound of the Police – (United States) – directed by Stanley Nelson
• Fantastico Negrito – Have You Lost Your Mind Yet – (United States) – directed by
• Yvan Iturriaga and Francisco Nuñez
• Black Rio – (Brazil) directed by Fernando Sousa and
Gabriel Barbosa
Best Diaspora Narrative Feature
• Chee$e – (Trinidad & Tobago) directed by Damian Marcano
• Our Father, The Devil – (United States) directed by Ellie Foumbi
• The Pastor and the Revolutionary – (Brazil) directed by José Eduardo Belmonte
Best Achievement in Production Design
• Kunle Afolayan – Anikulapo – Nigeria
• Eve Martin – Omen – DRC
• Sira – Burkina Faso
• Antoine Nshimiyimana – Fight Like a Girl – DRC
• Chantel Carter – Gereza – South Africa
Best Achievement in Costume Design
• Bunmi Demilola Fashina – Mami Wata – Nigeria •
Toyin Bifrain Ogundeji – Anikulapo – Nigeria
• Millicent Jack – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) – Nigeria
• Djibril Drame – Xalé – Senegal
• Elkehoste and Baloji Omen – DRC
• Sidi Ouedraogo Sira – Burkina Faso
Best Achievement in Make-Up
• Campell Precious Arebamen – Mami Wata – Nigeria
• Hakeem Effect – Anikulapo
– Nigeria
• Lila Vander Elst – Omen – DRC
• Our Lady of the Chinese Shop – Angola
• Omowunmi Okungbure – Gangs of Lagos – Nigeria
Best Achievement in Soundtrack
• Fight Like a Girl – DRC
• L’Axe Lourd (The Highway) – Cameroon
• Gereza – South Africa
• Omen – DRC
• Obinna Arua – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) – Nigeria
Best Achievement in Visual Effects
• Andrej Gregori, Voranc Kumar, Ziga Radulji -Omen – DRC
• Alexandre Dachkevitch – Mami Wata – Nigeria
• Josh Borrill – The Trade – Nigeria
• Emmanuel Bassey – Gangs of Lagos – Nigeria
Best Achievement in Sound
• Juliana Oswald – Our Lady of the Chinese Shop – Angola
• Vianney Aube Sira – Burkina Faso
• Erik Griekspoor – Omen – DRC
• Samy Bardet – Mami Wata – Nigeria
• Michel Tsagli – Xalé – Senegal
Best Achievement in Cinematography
• Lilis Soares – Mami Wata – Nigeria
• Joachim Philippe – Omen – DRC
• Richard Henkels – Fight Like a Girl – DRC
• Thomas Wilski – Talia’s Journey – Senegal/Belgium
• Eduardo Kropotkine – Our Lady of the Chinese Shop – Angola
Best Achievement in Editing
• Nathan Delannoy – Mami Wata – Nigeria
• Bertrand Conard – Omen – DRC
• Sylvie Gadner – Sira – Burkina Faso
• Layla Swart – Gereza
• Madhew Leutwyler – DRC
Best Achievement in Screenplay
• C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi – Mami Wata – Nigeria
• Ufuoma MeHHri – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) –
Nigeria
• Moussa Sene Absa, Pierre Magny, Ben Diogay Beye – Xalé – Senegal
• Madhew Leutwyler – Fight Like a Girl – DRC
National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVB) Award
for Best Nigerian Film
• Mami Wata
• Anikulapo
• 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four)
• Gangs of Lagos
• The Trade
• L.I.F.E.
• Brotherhood
Best Young/Promising Actor
• Maleek Sanni – Gangs of Lagos
• Jennifer Ewube -L’axe Lourd (The Highway)
• Darisimi Nadi – Obara’m
• Sanou Titiama – Le chant des fusils (The Song of the Rifle)
• Eyiyemi Afolyan – Anikulapo
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
• Francis Onwuchei – The Trade – Nigeria
• Jeff Jackson – Four Walls – South Africa
• Hakeem Kae-Kazim – Fight Like a Girl – DRC
• Jimmy-Jean Louis -Rise
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
• Uzoamaka Aniunoh – Mami Wata – Nigeria
• Rokhaya Niang – Xalé – Senegal
• Clarck Natmbwe – Fight Like a Girl – DRC
Best Actor in a Leading Role
• Richard Mofe Demalo – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) – Nigeria
• Marc Zinga – Omen – DRC
• Fenando Kamugisha – The Fallen Advocate –Uganda
• Tobi Bakre – Brotherhood – Nigeria
• Justine Murichii – Shimoni – Kenya
• Mike Danon – Sira – Burkina Faso
Best Actress in a Leading Role
• Lucie Debay – Omen – DRC
• Ehle Mbali Mlotshwa – Four Walls – South Africa
• Nafissatou Cissé – Sira – Burkina Faso
• Adesua Etomi – Gangs of Lagos – Nigeria
• Nse Ikpe Etim – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) – Nigeria
• Bimbo Ademoye – Anikulapo – Nigeria
• Ama Qamata – Fight Like a Girl – DRC
First Debut Feature by a Director
• Baloji – Omen – DRC
• Ery Claver – Our Lady of the Chinese Shop – Angola
• Jean Elliot Ilboudo (le Chant des fusils)The Song of the Riffle – Burkina Faso
Best Director
• Moussa Sene Absa – Xalé
• C. J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi – Mami Wata
• Baloji – Omen
• Apolline Traore – Sira
• Izu Ojukwu – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four)
• Kunle Afolayan – Anikulapo
• Kgosana Monchusi, Menzi Mzimela, Juvaiś Dunn – Four Walls
Best Film
• Xalé- Senegal
• Mami Wata – Nigeria
• 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) Nigeria
• Omen – DRC
• Four Walls – South Africa
• Sira – Burkina Faso
• Anikulapo – Nigeria
Entertainment
2Baba, Annie Spark Reunion Buzz With Surprise Instagram Move
Nigerian music star, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, and his estranged wife, Annie Idibia, have sparked fresh speculation about their relationship after following each other again on Instagram.
The development has caught the attention of fans, coming more than a year after 2Baba publicly announced their separation and revealed that they were filing for divorce.
Checks on Monday showed that the former couple, who had previously unfollowed each other on Instagram, are now following each other again.
SEE ALSO: 2Face Remarries, Holds Traditional Wedding With Natasha Osawaru (Photos)
The move has triggered speculation across social media, with some fans wondering whether the development could signal a possible reconciliation between the two.
Annie has also reportedly reverted to the name Annie Idibia on Instagram after recently changing it to Annie Macaulay, adding further fuel to the growing speculation.
However, neither 2Baba nor Annie has confirmed that they are planning to reconcile or revive their marriage.
The latest development comes after years of public scrutiny surrounding the couple’s relationship.
2Baba announced in January 2025 that he and Annie had been separated for some time and were “currently filing for divorce.”
The announcement generated widespread reactions, particularly given the couple’s long and sometimes turbulent relationship.
The singer initially deleted the post amid claims that his Instagram account had been hacked but later confirmed that he was responsible for the announcement.
2Baba and Annie’s relationship dates back to the early years of the singer’s career. Annie featured in the music video for his hit song African Queen, and the pair eventually got married in 2013.
They held two wedding ceremonies, with their traditional wedding taking place in Akwa Ibom State and their white wedding held in Dubai.
Their marriage subsequently faced several public controversies, including disputes surrounding 2Baba’s relationships with other women and his children from previous relationships.
In 2021, their marital crisis attracted significant public attention after Annie accused 2Baba of travelling to the United States to spend time with Pero Adeniyi, the mother of some of his children.
Despite the challenges, the couple remained together and renewed their vows in 2023 to mark their 10th wedding anniversary.
Their relationship later suffered another major setback, eventually leading to 2Baba’s separation announcement in 2025.
Following the separation, 2Baba went on to marry Edo State lawmaker Natasha Osawaru.
While the latest Instagram connection does not confirm a reunion, it has nevertheless reignited discussions about the possibility of 2Baba and Annie making peace.
Entertainment
Tonto Dikeh Unveils New Ministry Amid Renewed Christian Faith
Nollywood actress and politician, Tonto Dikeh, has unveiled a new spiritual movement, the New Wine Prophetic Tabernacle (NWPT), marking a new chapter in her increasingly public Christian journey.
Dikeh announced the new movement on Sunday through her Instagram page, describing NWPT as an interdenominational altar and a “global movement of consecrated believers” called to experience the power, purity and presence of God.
SEE ALSO: After Years of Controversy, Tonto Dikeh Declares Love for Ex-Husband Churchill
The movement is anchored on the biblical passage in Mark 2:22, which speaks about new wine being put into new wineskins.
According to the actress, NWPT was established to provide a platform for prayer, revival, spiritual training and transformation.
Its vision is to promote a global awakening of believers committed to their faith, with the aim of transforming nations and advancing the Kingdom of Christ.
The movement also stated that its mission includes building an interdenominational altar of prayer and revival, equipping believers, activating spiritual gifts, encouraging soul winning and promoting spiritual freedom through the power of the Holy Spirit.
However, Dikeh stressed that NWPT is different from a conventional church.
“This is not a church; it is an intense gathering of those consecrated and equipped for the purposes of God,” the announcement stated.
The new movement is expected to hold weekly fellowship every Friday at 6pm.
The development comes months after Dikeh became increasingly open about her Christian faith. She began signing some of her social media posts as “Ada El-Roi” and became active in Pastor Jerry Eze’s NSPPD community.
In December 2025, the actress also shared a testimony at Streams of Joy International Church, where she spoke about overcoming struggles including smoking, alcohol addiction, masturbation and prolonged anger.
Dikeh said she started smoking at the age of 13 and credited God with delivering her from the struggles.
The actress, who ventured into politics in 2022 as a governorship running mate in Rivers State, has continued to attract public attention with developments in both her personal and professional life.
Earlier in 2026, she reflected on her turbulent marriage to her former husband, Olakunle Churchill, years after their highly publicised separation.
The pair later reconciled publicly, bringing an end to their long-running feud.
Entertainment
‘No Dey Jealous’ – Peller, Jarvis Hit Back at Wedding Critics
Popular Nigerian TikTok stars Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, and Amadou Elizabeth Aminata, better known as Jarvis or Jadrolita, have fired back at critics of their recent wedding, urging them to stop being envious and focus on their own lives.
The couple, whose wedding became one of the biggest talking points on Nigerian social media over the weekend, shared a now-viral video of themselves dancing and singing while seemingly addressing those who questioned their decision to marry at a young age.
SEE MORE: ‘Show Me Where I Said Don’t Marry’ — GehGeh Fires Back After Viral Wedding Backlash
In the video, the newlyweds sang: “Na we dey love, na them dey cry. Go and make it. No dey jealous. Na we dey buy car. You will run mad. Stop thinking.”
The clip quickly gained traction online, with many social media users interpreting it as a direct response to the criticism that followed their wedding.
Reacting to the video, a social media user identified as Lombardio commented, “This boy did the worst mistake of his life, but he has no idea. Here in America, before you agree to a court wedding with a woman, you need to sign a valid prenuptial agreement.”
However, others defended the couple’s decision.
Another user, Osinachi Wisdom, wrote, “This marriage will favour them; many people expect them to break up later, but believe me, their union will be one of the best. Kudos.”
Similarly, another commenter, Jay, praised the couple for embracing each other’s imperfections.
“They both saw and knew their shortcomings; still, they got married. That’s real love. Marriage isn’t about love alone but the ability to manage the shortcomings. I wish you two everlasting happiness and peace in your union,” Jay said.
Peller and Jarvis’ wedding, held on Saturday, attracted congratulatory messages from fans, celebrities and fellow content creators.
However, it also sparked debate, with some Nigerians arguing that the pair were too young and questioning whether they were emotionally and financially prepared for marriage.
Despite the backlash, many supporters maintained that age should not determine the success of a marriage, insisting that mutual understanding, commitment and compatibility are more important.





