Showbiz
The Moments That Defined This Year’s Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards 2026
The AMVCA has always been known for one thing at its core, rewarding films and television projects that actually stand out in storytelling, direction, performance, and craft. It’s not just about popularity; it’s about the projects that show real depth and execution. And this year’s edition made that even clearer, with My Father’s Shadow emerging as the biggest winner of the night, reinforcing what the AMVCA has always stood for.
The film didn’t just win one or two categories, it showed up across the biggest ones of the night, including Best Movie, Best Director, Best Writing, Best Music Score, and Best Sound Design. By the time the ceremony was wrapping up, it had become the reference point for the entire evening. If anything defined the tone of this year’s awards, it was how strongly My Father’s Shadow was recognized across multiple craft categories.
Then came one of the most unforgettable individual moments of the night, Linda Ejiofor.
Her win wasn’t just a highlight, it was historic. Taking home both Best Lead Actress and Best Supporting Actress on the same night is unprecedented in AMVCA history. It didn’t just trend; it stopped conversations entirely. It was loud, shocking, and instantly stamped as one of the defining moments of the entire ceremony.
But beyond the wins, the AMVCA this year also carried a sense of scale that you couldn’t ignore.
The room brought together a full spectrum of industry veterans who have shaped Nollywood for decades, like Sola Sobowale, Kanayo O. Kanayo, and Joke Silva, sitting alongside rising actors, filmmakers, and content creators shaping the new digital era of African entertainment. It felt like a living archive of the industry’s past, present, and future all in one room.
Both Kanayo O. Kanayo and Sola Sobowale also received the Industry Merit Awards, a moment that honoured their long-standing contribution to African cinema and reinforced their status as pillars of the industry.
And then there was fashion, which honestly deserved its own category of conversation.
The red carpet turned into its own conversation entirely. It wasn’t just “best dressed” debates, it was full-on visual storytelling. From Osas Ighodaro, who arrived in a striking iron sponge-inspired dress that immediately became one of the most talked-about looks of the night, to Queen Mercy Atang, who showed up in a bold bread-themed dress that instantly divided opinion online, as well as Eniola Ajao, who leaned fully into spectacle with a balloon-inspired outfit that kept social media busy for hours.
Stars like Uche Montana stood out not just for presence but for intent, especially on a night where she also took home the Trailblazer Award, marking one of the defining career moments of the ceremony. Another strong moment came from Lateef Adedimeji, whose film also walked away with two major wins, further cementing his growing presence not just as an actor but as a storyteller whose work is now being recognised at a high level within the industry.
But the night wasn’t just about appearances, it was about recognition across the continent.
The AMVCA leaned heavily into its African identity this year, with winners spanning across regions. From Central Africa’s Qang Quintus (Mabanda), to North Africa’s Our Memories – Artal Alhanin by Mohammed Abdulrahman Aldouma, East Africa’s Leul – Addis Fikir, and Southern Africa’s Tlhaho Ya Mosadi, led by Promos Ramoroka, Ernest Ramoroka, and Promise Ramoroka, further reiterated that this is not a single-market conversation: it is firmly Pan-African in scope and direction.
On the series side, Out N’ About by Bruk Yibrah took Best Unscripted Series, while Inimba won Best Scripted Series, further strengthening the AMVCA’s continental storytelling reach.
Beyond the wins and fashion, the night also carried emotional and reflective weight.
A memorial tribute led by Purp (Anu Agosa), Nigerian Idol season 10 winner, shifted the atmosphere entirely, reminding everyone of the people whose work built the foundation the industry now stands on.
The AMVCA also made room for the future, with MTN awarding ₦5 million to Best Short Film winners Josh Olaoluwa and Orire Nwani, a moment that reinforced how seriously emerging filmmakers are now being taken.
And throughout the night, performances from Fave, Tiwa Savage, and BNXN kept the energy flowing, breaking the ceremony into moments that felt alive rather than staged.
Even outside the hall, the entertainment never stopped.
The red carpet looks, viral clips, and reactions immediately took over social media, turning the ceremony into a full digital experience that extended far beyond the venue itself.
And when you put it all together, these weren’t just highlights of the night, they were the defining moments of this year’s AMVCA. The fashion, the veterans, the newcomers, the continental wins, the historic individual achievements, and the cultural energy all collided in one space.
Because this year’s AMVCA wasn’t just an awards show.
It was a full African entertainment moment, loud, layered, and impossible to ignore.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A fatal auto crash has claimed the life of a Nigerian actor, Mr Adesina Okiki, otherwise known as Janmole.
The death of the thespian was confirmed on Tuesday by the president of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Mr Abolaji Amusan, popularly known as Mr Latin.
In a post on his Facebook page today, the comic actor said, “May the soul of our departed colleague, Adesina Okiki Janmole, who tragically lost his life in an accident, rest in perfect peace.
“May God grant his family, friends, and colleagues the strength and comfort to bear this irreparable loss. He will be greatly missed. Amen.”
The demise of this comedian and filmmaker comes a few weeks after the Nigerian film industry lost Alexx Ekubo to cancer.
During his lifetime, Janmole, who died in a road accident on Monday, acted in several movies. He was known for his humour, screen presence and contributions to the Yoruba movie industry.
About four years ago, he survived a fire incident along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, an experience many believed he had narrowly escaped.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Lovers of the popular Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) reality television show will have the opportunity to watch the BBNaija Season 10 Reunion Show.
The programme, to be hosted by media personality, Mr Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, will premiere on Monday, 8 June 2026, at 10 pm WAT on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151 | GOtv Channel 8) and Africa Magic Family (DStv Channel 154 | GOtv Channel 7), with each episode available on the DStv Stream and GOtv Stream apps the following day.
The reunion show will feature all 29 housemates. Fans can follow all reunion updates using the hashtag #BBNaijaReunion across social media platforms and Africa Magic for exclusive clips and behind-the-scenes content.
On October 5, 2025, the BBNaija Season 10 came to an end, with Opeyemi Ayanwale, popularly known as Imisi, emerging champion with 42.84 per cent of the public votes.
The 23-year-old fashion designer and actress from Oyo State walked away with a grand prize of N150 million, including N80 million in cash and a brand-new Innoson SUV.
The reunion is expected to address several unresolved storylines from the season, including the disqualification of housemate Faith in the final week following a physical altercation with Sultana. The season also produced some of its most viral moments in years, including a spoon-related standoff that dominated X for days and a series of romantic entanglements that split fan bases across the continent.
Season 10 was considered one of the most exciting editions of the show to date, introducing the Bag of Big Twists, a red telephone delivering random instructions from Biggie, a restructured Head of House challenge and an Influential Player of the Week feature.
With plans for a new season already in motion, the BBNaija 10 over 10 reunion show is set to officially close conflicts, encourage clarifications and allow the housemates to lay it all bare to the viewers and themselves one last time.
The heat in the MasterChef Nigeria kitchen never lets up, and this week the remaining home cooks were served a double helping of pressure with a Blind Taste Test followed by their very first Mystery Box Challenge.
Following Demilade’s dramatic exit the previous week, seven hopefuls returned to the kitchen knowing that any mistake could leave their MasterChef dreams overcooked.
The first challenge on the menu was a Blind Taste Test, where the contestants had to identify a variety of fruits and vegetables using only their palates. It was a particularly nerve-racking challenge for David, who admitted he doesn’t always trust his taste buds. However, he rose to the occasion, joining Loye and Favy in correctly identifying the ingredients and securing a coveted spot on the gantry.
That left Preye, Derry, Fads and Isabella fighting to keep their aprons in the competition.
The home cooks then had to face their first-ever Mystery Box Challenge, where creativity, execution and composure were all put to the test. When the judges tasted their way through the dishes, Isabella and Preye found themselves at the bottom of the pack.
Ultimately, it was Preye’s Roasted Sirloin with Butternut Squash that failed to hit the mark, bringing his MasterChef Nigeria journey to an end.
Derry proved once again why she has earned the nickname “Daring Derry.” Unfazed by the Mystery Box Challenge, she served up a dish that impressed the judges from presentation to palate. Her thoughtful plating, technical execution and well-balanced flavours earned her the coveted Dish of the Day title.
Meanwhile, Fads – affectionately known as the “Cat Woman” for her remarkable ability to land on her feet – continued her fight in the competition. Her Plantain Tacos showcased ingenuity and secured her safety from the bottom two. While the judges appreciated the effort, Chef Eros reminded her that the competition is entering a critical stage, saying: “This is the MasterChef kitchen and I expect MasterChef results.”
At first glance, Preye appeared to have delivered a winning plate. The judges praised the presentation, with the dish drawing comparisons to something one might find in a charming French bistro.
However, in the MasterChef Nigeria kitchen, appearances only get you so far.
The mood quickly shifted when Chef Eros cut into the sirloin steak. Sensing trouble, he quietly removed his glasses before revealing the verdict: the steak was undercooked.
It proved to be a costly mistake. In the MasterChef kitchen, there are few offences more serious than serving food that is raw or burnt. Despite the promise shown in the dish, the undercooked steak ultimately sealed Preye’s fate and brought his MasterChef Nigeria journey to an end.
With the stakes rising and the margins between success and elimination becoming ever smaller, the remaining home cooks know that every plate must now be worthy of the MasterChef title.
The show airs weekly on Sundays at 7 pm on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family, with rebroadcasts on Wednesdays at 6 pm on Africa Magic Showcase and Thursdays at 12 pm on Africa Magic Family.
Next week, the MasterChef Nigeria kitchen welcomes special guest judge Chef Tosan for a challenge that is guaranteed to test the home cooks in a whole new way.
With baking on the menu, confidence quickly gives way to nerves as the remaining contestants face one of the most feared disciplines in the culinary world. Unlike cooking, where intuition can often save the day, baking demands precision, patience and flawless execution.
As temperatures rise and tensions simmer, the home cooks must prove they can handle the pressure and deliver bakes worthy of the MasterChef title. Who will rise to the occasion, and whose hopes will crumble under the weight of the challenge?
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