For years, Bucci Franklin has been one of Nollywood’s most dependable actors. He has delivered strong performances across films and series, building a reputation for emotional depth, intensity, and versatility. But at the 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, the actor finally received one of the industry’s biggest recognitions.
Bucci Franklin won the Best Supporting Actor award at the 2026 AMVCA for his role as Oboz in the Netflix crime thriller, To Kill A Monkey. The win marked a major career milestone for the Port Harcourt-born actor, whose performance became one of the most talked-about aspects of the Kemi Adetiba-directed series.
The moment his name was announced inside the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, the audience erupted in applause. Many industry watchers had predicted a tight category, but Franklin’s layered portrayal of the charismatic and morally conflicted Oboz ultimately stood out.
For many fans, the award felt overdue.
Over the years, Bucci Franklin has steadily built a filmography filled with memorable performances, but this AMVCA win now places him in a new category of actors whose work has received official industry recognition on one of Africa’s biggest entertainment stages.
Read: Bucci Franklin: 5 Things We Found Out About “Oboz”
An Emotional Speech That Moved the Entire Room
What started as a celebration quickly became one of the most emotional moments of the night.
While accepting the award, Bucci Franklin revealed that he lost his mother just seven days before To Kill A Monkey premiered in July 2025. Struggling to hold back tears, he described her as his guardian angel, prayer warrior, and best friend.
The room immediately fell silent as he explained that he created the character of Oboz with his mother in mind and had hoped she would live to watch the project.
His speech resonated deeply across social media shortly after the ceremony, with many viewers describing it as one of the most heartfelt AMVCA acceptance speeches in recent years.
Beyond the emotional tribute, Franklin also used the moment to encourage young creatives, especially those from the Niger Delta region. He reminded upcoming actors and filmmakers to stay committed to their craft despite setbacks, rejection, or uncertainty.
The actor also thanked filmmaker, Kemi Adetiba for trusting him with the role that eventually earned him his first AMVCA acting award.
Read: How My Father’s Shadow Became the Biggest Winner at AMVCA 2026
To Kill A Monkey Continues Its Strong Award Season Run
Released on Netflix in 2025, To Kill A Monkey quickly became one of Nollywood’s most discussed crime thrillers. The series explored cybercrime, survival, ambition, and economic pressure through the story of Efe, a struggling graduate pulled into a dangerous world by his childhood friend, Oboz.
While the show featured an ensemble cast that included Stella Damasus, Chidi Mokeme, and Bimbo Akintola, Bucci Franklin’s performance consistently drew praise from viewers online.
His portrayal balanced confidence, menace, humour, and vulnerability in a way that made Oboz one of the most memorable Nigerian streaming characters of the past year.
Now, with an AMVCA trophy finally in his hands, Bucci Franklin’s long journey of consistency, patience, and resilience has reached a defining moment.
And judging by the reaction from fans and colleagues, many believe this is only the beginning of an even bigger chapter for the actor.
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