The 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards came with emotional speeches, historic wins, fashion moments and major career milestones, but beyond the headlines dominated by Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Bucci Franklin, and the Industry Merit Award recipients, several other stars also had defining moments that shaped the night.
From Uzor Arukwe finally landing one of Nollywood’s biggest acting honours to Lateef Adedimeji’s indigenous epic earning recognition, the 2026 AMVCA reflected just how diverse and competitive African storytelling has become.
Uzor Arukwe Finally Gets His Big AMVCA Moment
For years, Uzor Arukwe has built one of Nollywood’s most consistent filmographies, moving between romantic dramas, comedies, thrillers and action films with ease. This year, that consistency finally translated into one of the biggest wins of his career.
Arukwe won Best Lead Actor for his performance in Colours of Fire, beating a competitive lineup that included Lateef Adedimeji, William Benson, Femi Branch, Wale Ojo and Kanayo O. Kanayo.
His role as Akinbode, a warrior caught between duty, prejudice and forbidden love, quickly became one of the most talked-about performances of the awards season. Viewers praised the emotional depth he brought to the character, especially in a film that blended fantasy, culture and action on a large scale.
For many fans online, the win felt overdue.
Over the years, Arukwe has become one of the familiar faces audiences trust to deliver memorable performances, whether in cinema releases or streaming hits. His AMVCA victory now places him among the growing list of actors redefining modern Nollywood leading men.
Interestingly, Colours of Fire also performed strongly in technical categories, winning Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction, showing that the film’s visual storytelling resonated with the AMVCA jury as much as its performances did.
Read: How My Father’s Shadow Became the Biggest Winner at AMVCA 2026
Lateef Adedimeji’s Lisabi Continues Its Strong Run
Another major highlight from the ceremony was the success of Lisabi: A Legend Is Born, the historical epic produced by Lateef Adedimeji and Mo Bimpe Adedimeji.
The film won Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa), adding another major achievement to the project’s growing reputation among lovers of epic Yoruba storytelling.
Lisabi tells the story of the legendary Yoruba hero who stood against oppression and fought for the freedom of his people. The movie gained attention for its scale, traditional costumes, action sequences and cultural depth.
While accepting the award, Lateef dedicated the honour to his wife, Mo Bimpe, thanking her for standing by him throughout the demanding production process. He also referenced the recent arrival of their triplets, making the moment even more emotional for fans following the couple’s journey.
Even though Lateef narrowly missed out on the Best Lead Actor award, his presence remained strong throughout the ceremony. Between Lisabi and his supporting role nomination for Red Circle, the actor once again proved his growing influence in both mainstream and indigenous Nollywood productions.
The success of Lisabi also highlighted the increasing global attention on indigenous Nigerian storytelling, especially projects rooted in local history, language and folklore.
Read: Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman Wins ‘Best Actress’ and ‘Best Supporting Actress’ in One Night
Uche Montana, To Kill A Monkey and Other Winners That Stood Out
Beyond the headline acting categories, several other winners added fresh energy to the AMVCA conversation.
Uche Montana emerged as the recipient of the Trailblazer Award, a recognition reserved for rising talents making a significant impact in the industry. The actress has steadily built momentum through recent film and television appearances, and many viewers considered the award a sign of even bigger things ahead.
Netflix crime thriller To Kill A Monkey also had a strong night outside Bucci Franklin’s emotional win. The series picked up awards for Best Editing, Best Cinematography and Best Score/Music, cementing its status as one of the standout streaming productions of the year.
Also, The Low Priest won Best Scripted M-Net Original, while Nigerian Idol secured Best Unscripted M-Net Original.
My Father’s Shadow, which emerged as the biggest winner overall, continued its dominance with victories in Best Movie, Best Director, Best Writing, Best Sound Design and Best Score categories. Its success reinforced the growing shift toward deeply layered storytelling and cinematic experimentation within Nollywood.
The 2026 AMVCA ultimately delivered a mix of emotional victories, overdue recognition and major breakthrough moments. From veterans receiving standing ovations to younger actors stepping into new career heights, the night reflected an industry that continues to evolve both locally and internationally
For more AMVCA updates, Nollywood stories, entertainment news and African pop culture features, stay connected with RefinedNG.