Chioma Akpotha, Gabriel Afolayan, and Femi Adebayo were among the big winners at the 2025 edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), held on Saturday night at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.
The prestigious event, which celebrates excellence in African television and film, saw Akpotha and Adebayo clinch the highly coveted ‘Best Lead Actress’ and ‘Best Lead Actor’ awards for their compelling performances in Seven Doors.
Gabriel Afolayan was honoured with the ‘Best Supporting Actor’ award, while Mercy Aigbe walked away with ‘Best Supporting Actress’, cementing her reputation as one of Nollywood’s most versatile talents.
In recognition of their enduring contributions to the Nigerian film industry, veteran actors Nkem Owoh and Sani Mu’azu were presented with the AMVCA Industry Merit Award — a highlight that drew loud applause and a standing ovation from attendees.
Kayode Kasum, a fast-rising director known for his fresh approach to storytelling, was awarded the Trailblazer Award, celebrating his influence and creativity within the industry.
The evening also featured electrifying performances from a line-up of musical talents including Johnny Drille, Fido, and rising star Kunmie, adding a vibrant touch to the glamour-filled night.
The 2025 AMVCA once again affirmed its role as a vital platform for recognising African talent, innovation, and artistry in entertainment.
See the full list:
Best Supporting Actress
Meg Otanwa – Inside Life
Tina Mba – Suspicion
Ireti Doyle – All’s Fair in Love
Ini Dinma – Skeleton Coast
Mercy Aigbe – Farmer’s Bride — WINNER
Omoni Oboli – The Uprising: Wives on Strike 3
Darasimi Nnadi – Aburo
Best Supporting Actor
Efa Iwara – Princess On A Hill
Adedayo Adebowale Macaroni (Mr Macaroni) – Lisabi: The Uprising
Uzor Arukwe – Suspicion
Mike Afolarin – House of Ga’a
Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) – Christmas in Lagos
Gabriel Afolayan – Inside Life — WINNER
Aliu Gafar – Seven Doors
Femi Jacobs – Freedom Way
Best Lead Actress
Chioma Akpotha – Seven Doors — WINNER
Gbubemi Ejeye – Farmer’s Bride
Uzoamaka Onuoha – Agemo
Uche Montana – Thinline
Uzoamaka Aniunoh – Phoenix Fury
Hilda Dokubo – The Uprising: Wives on Strike 3
Bimbo Ademoye – Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
Best Lead Actor
Gideon Okeke – Tokunbo
Bucci Franklin – The Weekend
Femi Branch – House of Ga’a
Thapelo Makoena – Skeleton Coast
Bimbo Manuel – Princess on A Hill
Stan Nze – Suspicion
Femi Adebayo – Seven Doors — WINNER
Lisabi: The Uprising – Adedimeji Lateef
Nominees for Best Indigenous Language (West Africa)
Seven Doors — Femi Adebayo
Lisabi: The Uprising — Adedimeji Latest and Adebimpe Oyebade Adedimeji — WINNER
Kaka — Prince Daniel
Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre — Kunle Afolayan
Mai Martaba — Prince Daniel
Best Movie
Lisabi: The Uprising
Skeleton Coast
Suspicion
Inkabi
House of GA’A
Freedom Way — WINNER
Christmas in Lagos
Farmer’s Bride
Best Scripted (M-Net Original)
Uriri — Xavier Ighorodje
All Mine — Hadizat Ibrahim
My Fairytale Wedding — Chinenye Nworah and Taiwo Adebayo — WINNER
Italo — Rogers Ofime
The Caller — Brain Munene
Kam U Stay — Damaris Irungu Ochieng
Best Writing Movie
Phoenix Fury
A Ghetto Love Story
Christmas in Lagos
Freedom Way — WINNER
The Weekend
House of Ga’a
Best Short Film
Brukaci — WINNER
In Bloom: ‘Afefe’
Sukari
The Incredible Sensational Fiancée of Sèyí Àjàyí
What Are You Truly Afraid Of?
Best Director
House of Ga’a – Bolanle Austen-Peters
Inkabi – Norman Maake
Seven Doors – Femi Adebayo, Adebayo Tijani, Tope Adebayo
Skeleton Coast – Robert O Peters
The Man Died – Awam Amkpa — WINNER
The Weekend – Daniel Emeke Oriahi
Best Cinematography
Yen Ara Asaase Ni (This Is Our Land) — Onasis Gaisie, Michael Sefa, and Apagnawen Annankra
Inkabi — Chuanne Blofield
The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos — Leo Purman — WINNER
Skeleton Coast — Wesley Johnston
Soft Love — Ebrahim Hajee
Lisabi: The Uprising — Barnabas Emordi and Nora Awolowo
Agemo — Papama Tangela
Best Cinematography
Yen Ara Asaase Ni (This Is Our Land) — Onasis Gaisie, Michael Sefa, and Apagnawen Annankra
Inkabi — Chuanne Blofield
The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos — Leo Purman — WINNER
Skeleton Coast — Wesley Johnston
Soft Love — Ebrahim Hajee
Lisabi: The Uprising — Barnabas Emordi and Nora Awolowo
Agemo — Papama Tangela
Best Costume Design
Christmas In Lagos — Adedamola Adeyemi — WINNER
Lisabi: The Uprising — Oluwatoyin Balogun and Oyebade Adebimpe Adedimeji
Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre — Toyin Ogundeji
House of Ga’a — Bolanle Austen-Peters, Yolanda Okereke, Juliana Dede, and Gloria Ovu
Phoenix Fury — Opeyemi Sogeke
Best Score
Freedom Way — Ahuurra Andrew, Kehinde ‘Louddaaa’ Alabi, and Cobhams Asuquo
Seven Doors — Tolu Obanro — WINNER
Inkabi — Seoli Bongani Mashaba
Skeleton Coast — Chris Letcher
Soft Love — Kolade Morankinyo (MPSE) and Efa Iwara (Love and Hate)
Best Makeup
Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
Inside Life
Farmer’s Bride
Lisabi: The Uprising — WINNER
Seven Doors
Suspicion
Best Editing
Inkabi — Tongai Furusa — WINNER
Christmas in Lagos — Martini Akande
Skeleton Coast — Jordan Koen
Soft Love — Holmes Awa and Paballo Modingoane
Lisabi: The Uprising — Anthill Studios
Princess on A Hill — Laughter Ephraim and Peter Ugbede
Best Documentary
Dundun — WINNER
I Will Remember You
O.Y.O (On Your Own)
Walvis Tale
Women of Salt: The Resilience of Ebonyi’s Women
Best Art Direction
The Man Died
Lisabi: The Uprising — WINNER
Christmas in Lagos
Seven Doors
Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
Best Sound Design
Beast of Two Worlds
Freedom Way
Inkabi
Lisabi: The Uprising
Seven Doors
Suspicion — WINNER
Best Indigenous Languages in East Africa
The Empty Grave
Makosa di Yangu — WINNER
Sabotage
The Caller
Wa Milele? (Forever)
Best Digital Content Creator
Jide ‘Pounds’ Ibitoye (Jide Pounds)
Dorcas Ariyiike Owolagba (Ariyiike Dimples)
Iyo Prosper — WINNER
Elozonam
Maryam Apaokagi (Taaooma)
Best Series Scripted
Inside Life — WINNER
Cheta M
Princess on a Hill
Seven Doors
Roses & Ivy
Best Series Unscripted
Ebuka Turns Up For Africa
Skillers (The Builders Show)
Style Magnate
Uzoamaka Tries Palmwine
Wa Milele? (Forever) — WINNER
Best Writing TV Series
Anikulapo: Rise Of The Spectre
Cheta M
Princess on a Hill
Roses & Ivy
Seven Doors
Tuki
Untying Kantai — WINNER
Best Makeup
Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
Lisabi: The Uprising — WINNER
Seven Doors
Farmer’s Bride
Clarence Peters’ Inside Life
Suspicion
Best Unscripted M-Net Original
Husband Material
Nigerian Idol (Season 9) — WINNER
Overall Best
Pastor Wants a Wife
Best MultiChoice Talent Factory
Gone
Everything Light Touches — WINNER
The Immersive Alarm
Deadbeat
Nwananga
