Entertainment
Nominated Actors, Movies, Writers, Others for 2023 AMVCA (Full List)
The yearly Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards is an annual accolade presented by MultiChoice recognizing outstanding achievements in television and film.
The inaugural AMVCA ceremony was held in Lagos, Nigeria on 9 March 2013, and was broadcast live in more than 50 countries.
It commends outstanding performances in television, film, and entertainment.
The 9th edition of AMVCA nominations was announced on Sunday by Bisola Aiyeola and Adjetey Anang, the TV stars.
This year’s edition award ceremony will hold on May 2o.
Below is the full list of AMVCA 2023 nominees and nominations
BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY – (MOVIE/TV SERIES) – Public Voting
Adokiye Horsfall (Romeo WJ) – Inside Life
Charles Etubiebi – Just Friends
Charles Inojie – City Hustler
Chinedu Ikedieze – Aki and PawPaw
Kunle Idowu – Unintentional
Nedu Ani (Nedu Wazobia) – Inside Life
Nkem Owoh – Battle On Buka Street
Nosa Afolabi – The Razz Guy
Samuel Perry (Broda Shaggi) – Inside Life
Samuel Perry (Broda Shaggi) – Survivors
BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA (MOVIE/TV SERIES) – Public Voting
Blossom Chukwujekwu – The Trade
Chidi Mokeme – Shanty Town
Chimezie Imo – Choke
Daniel Etim-Effiong – Kofa
Femi Adebayo – King of Thieves (Agesinkole)
NKakalukanyi Patriq – Tembele
O.C. Ukeje – Black Mail
Richard Mofe Damijo – Four Four Forty Four
Tobi Bakre – Brotherhood
BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY- (MOVIE/TV SERIES) – Public Voting
Albert Oluwatoyin – Visa On Arrival
Bimbo Ademoye – Selina
Roselyn Ngissah – Red Carpet
Funke Akindele – Battle On Buka Street
Grace Wacuka – Married to Work
Mercy Johnson – Battle On Buka Street
Mercy Johnson Onogie – Passport
BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA -(MOVIE/TV SERIES)- Public Voting
Bimbo Ademoye – Anikulapo
Enado Odigie – Flawsome
Immaculata Oko Kasum – Ile Owo
Ini Dima-Okojie – Flawsome
Ini Edo – Shanty Town
Nimo Loveline – The Planters Plantation
Nse Ikpe-Etim – Shanty Town
Osas Ighodaro – Man of God
Queen Nwokoye – Strained
Scarlet Gomez – Wura
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR – (MOVIE/TV SERIES) – Public Voting
Abdisattar Ahmed – Gacal
Bucci Franklin – The Razz Guy
James Webbo – County 49
Jeffroberts Walusimbi – Bedroom Chains
O.C. Ukeje – Brotherhood
Taiwo Hassan – Anikulapo
Yinka Quadri – Anikulapo
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS – (MOVIE/TV SERIES) – Public Voting
Dorcas Shola Fapson – Man of God
Efe Irele – Four Four Forty Four
Gina Castel – Kofa
Ivie Okujaye – On Your Own
Sola Sobowale – Anikulapo
Teniola Aladese – Love in a Pandemic
Toni Tones – Brotherhood
BEST SHORT FILM – Public Voting
Adeoye Adetunji – Pa Aromire
Gbenga Salu – Convictus
Nkem Nwaturuocha – The Song Maiden
Teniola Zara King – Teju’s Tale
Usama Mukwaya, Loukman Ali – Sixteen Rounds
Uzoamaka Aniunoh – Love Language
Victor Onwudiwe, Goodnews Erico Isika – Away
BEST ONLINE SOCIAL CONTENT CREATOR – Public Voting
Abiola – VIP Bathroom
Adeaga Bukunmi – Fake Alert with Mercy Johnson
Bimbo Ademoye – Iya Barakat Teropi Secxxion
Edem Victor – The Activist
Elozonam , Kie Kie – Back From The Future
Isbae U – My Sweet Mother In-law
Kenzy Udosen – Quick Pronunciations
Oluwadolarz and Abayomi Alvin – Soldiers at War (Compilation)
Steve Chuks – Husband’s Side Chick
Tee Kuro – Nollywood Epic Love Story Parody (The Finale)
BEST ORIGINAL TELENOVELA – Public Voting
Covenant
Dede
Huba
Itura
Mahinga
Maida
Mpali
Prestige
Salem
BEST UNSCRIPTED ORIGINAL – Public Voting
Come Play Naija
Judging Matters
Kan-See-Me
King Bugar
Off Air with Gbemi & Tools
Rock that Aisle Again
Sakofa
BEST ORIGINAL COMEDY SERIES – Public Voting
Co-Habits
Flatmates
Mussulando
My Siblings and I
Njoro Wa Uba
Popi
RSM
The Johnsons
The Return of Original Comedy
Uncle Limbani
BEST ORIGINAL DRAMA SERIES – Public Voting
A Infiltrada
Accra Medics
Dirty Laundry
Junior Drama Club
Njila
Pazia
Pete
Ricordi
The Rishantes
To Have and To Hold
Unmarried
BEST ART DIRECTOR – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Olalekan Isiaka – Shanty Town
Olatunji Afolayan – Battle On Buka Street
Olugbenga Ogunshina and Joy Kadiri – Brotherhood
Pat Nebo & Temple Chima Adighije – Crime & Justice
Toka Mcbaror – Almajiri
Uche Nwaohiri & Tunde Lawal – Diiche
Wale Adeleke – King Of Thieves (Agesinkole)
BEST COSTUME DESIGNER – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Adeola Art-Alade – The Real Housewives of Lagos Reunion Episode
Bolanle Austen-Peters, Clement Effanga, Juliana Dede – Man of God
Bunmi Fashina , Tiannah Empire & Secrets of April – Shanty Town
Ezugworie Franca – Brotherhood
Kingsley Okoye Rex – Nnewi The Land of Gold
Millicent Jack – Four Four Forty Four
Toyin Ogundeji – Anikulapo
BEST LIGHTING DESIGNER – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Francis Wanyahdeh – Crime & Justice
Francis Wanyahdeh & Ebuka Enejere – Diiche
Godwin Lawal – Tarella
Ismail Adewunmi – Ile Owo
Lanre Omofaiye – Anikulapo
Mathew Yusuf – Brotherhood
Muri Salami – Four Four Forty Four
Renaldo Van Den Berg, Emmanuel Patrick, David Otuokere – Real Housewives of Lagos
Segun Adeleke – Flawsome
Walter Odhiambo – Shanty Town
BEST PICTURE EDITOR – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Adio Solanke – Ile Owo
Banjo Onyekachi, Winston Aig-Ohioma, Oluwaseun Adeosun – Diiche
Holmes Awa & Daniel Tom – Crime & Justice
Kimera Paul – Tembele
Martini Akande – Brotherhood
Sanjo Adegoke – King of Thieves (Agesinkole)
Steve Sodiya – Ijakumo the Born Again Stripper
Temitope Folarin – Anikulapo
Valentine Chukwuma – Battle on Buka Street
Anu Afolayan – Anikulapo
Dare Olaitan, Adio Solanke – Ile Owo
Fredrick Karumba – Click Click Bang
Grey Jones – The Set Up 2
Ismail Kyobe Ssebowa – Bedroom Chains
Kazeem Agboola – Ijakumo the Born Again Stripper
Kolade Morakinyo, Pius Fatoke – Battle On Buka Street
Q Rodney Abia, Angelo Anosike, Kayode Kasum – Obara’ M
Shiloh Godson – Black Mail
BEST SOUND TRACK – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Abiola Olayinka, Habeeb Adebayo – L.I.F.E.
Adam Songbird and Tolu Obanro – King of Thieves (Agesinkole)
Jaysynths and Hotkid – Shanty Town
Joel Christian Goffin – Black Mail
Kent Edunjobi – Anikulapo
Q Rodney Abia, Angelo Anosike, Kayode Kasum – Obara’ M
BEST MAKE UP – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Carina SFX – The Trade
Francisca Otaigbe – King of Thieves (Agesinkole)
Hakeem Effects Onilogbo – Anikulapo
Hakeem Effects Onilogbo, Jemila Sedik – Battle on Buka Street
Maryam Ndukwe , Hakeem Effects Onilogbo – Shanty Town
Sandra Oyiana-Ogbeni – Tarella
BEST WRITER – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Jade Osiberu – The Trade
Sodi Kurubo, Stephanie Dadet and Victor Aghahowa – Diiche (Episode 5)
Sola Dada – Anikulapo
Tunde Apalowo and Jeffery Musa David – Kanaani
Uche Ateli – Choke
Yinka Laoye – King of Thieves (Agesinkole)
Charles Oleghe – Diiche
Ekuka Ishaq – Tembele
Idowu Adedapo – Ijakumo the Born Again Stripper
Idowu Adedapo (Mr Views) – Flawsome
Jonathan Kovel – Shanty Town
Jonathan Kovel – Anikulapo
Mex Ossai, Philip Okpokoro, Esmond Igho, KC Obiajulu, Goke Oyerinde – Real Housewives of Lagos
Paul Gambit – Jolly Roger
Yinka Edward – Crime & Justice
BEST MOVIE SOUTHERN AFRICA
Elvis Chucks – Jewel
Emmanuel Mwape – Silver Lining
BEST MOVIE EAST AFRICA
Click Click Bang – Philip Karanja Njenga
Elenor Nabwiso – Karamoja
Gashumba Emmanuel – Dial M for Maya
Hassan Mageye – Bedroom Chains
Lucy Mwangi – Baba Twins
Nadira Shakur – Married to Work
Omar Hamza – Gacal
Wilson Nkya & Jane Moshi – Frida
Wilson Nkya & Philipo Ngonyani – Mvamizi (The Intruder)
BEST MOVIE WEST AFRICA
Brotherhood – Jade Osiberu
Kayode Kasum Obara’ M
Kunle Afolayan – Anikulapo
Rent-A-Studio & Native Media TV – Kanaani
Samira Yakubu – Red Carpet
Winifred Mena Ajakpoviv – Four Four Forty Four
BEST TELEVISION SERIES
Bovi Ugboma, Ann Obaseki – Visa On Arrival (Season 1)
Dimbo Atiya, Rahama Sadau, Safina Mellisa – The Plan
Grace Kahaki & Philippe Bresson – Single Kiasi
Ife Olujuyigbe, Kayode Kasum – When are we getting married
James Omokwe – Diiche
Millicent Ogutu – County 49
Vincent Nwachukwu – Game On (Season 2)
Yinka Edward – Crime & Justice
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Best Okoduwa – 100 of Us
Charles F. Solomon – Way to the Top
Charles F. Solomon; Oluchi Nsofor; Aaron Olayemi; Famous Odion – Green: The Amazons
Nathaniel George – Truck Blind Spot
Nora Awolowo – Nigeria-the Debut
Nora Awolowo – Baby Blues
BEST DIRECTOR
Adebayo Tijani and Tope Adebayo – King of Thieves (Agesinkole)
Babatunde Apalowo – All The Colours of the World are between Black and White
Dimeji Ajibola – Shanty Town
Jade Osiberu – The Trade
Kunle Afolayan – Anikulapo
Loukman Ali – Brotherhoods
Mugisha Herbert Morris – Tembele
Obi Emelonye – Black Mail
Tolu Ajayi, Fiyin Gambo, Ifeoma Chukwuogo, James Omokwe – Diiche
THE MULTICHOICE TALENT FACTORY FILM
A Quiet Intruder
Cheza
Leaked
Revisit
Stinger
Strings
BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE – SWAHILI – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Daniel Manege – Mpiganaji
Freddy Feruzi – Dau
Malcom Hamisi – Barakatatu
Philip Karanja Njenga – Click Click Bang
Phoebe Ruguru & Njue Kevin – Safari
Wilson Nkya & Jane Moshi – Frida
BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE YORUBA (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Funmi Bank Anthony Abdullahi Abdulrasaq Abebi Seranko Seniyan
Karamot Adeboye – Morenikeji
Kunle Afolayan – Anikulapo
Okusanya Bayonle Samson – Mr Raji
BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE – HAUSA – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Abubakar Bashir Maishadda – Aisha
Evans Ejiogu – Kwana Casa’in
Nancy Yiljep – Guzama
Ty Shaban – Lulu Da Andalu
BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE – IGBO – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Brown Ene, Victor Onwudiwe, Ben Cassie – Ifediche
Shileold A. Ibironke – Ijeoma
Shileold A. Ibironke – Ego Mbute
Trinity Ugonabo – The Bride Price (imego)
Victor Iyke – Uhuruchi
BEST OVERALL MOVIE – AFRICA
Femi Adebayo – King of Thieves (Agesinkole)
Funke Akindele – Battle on Buka Street
Jade Osiberu – Brotherhood
Kayode Kasum – Ile Owo
Kunle Afolayan – Anikulapo
Mugisha Herbert Morris – Tembele
Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi – Four Four Forty Four
The Punch
Shakira has announced the official song for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, featuring Nigerian Grammy-winning star, Burna Boy.
The Colombian superstar revealed on social media that the song, titled “Dai Dai,” will be released on May 14.
“From Maracaná Stadium, here is ‘Dai Dai,’ the FIFA World Cup Official Song 2026. Coming 5/14. We’re ready!” Shakira posted on X alongside a teaser for the track.
The announcement has sparked excitement among football and music fans, especially with Burna Boy becoming one of the African artists to feature prominently on a World Cup anthem.
Shakira is no stranger to World Cup songs. Her 2010 hit Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) became one of the most iconic football anthems in history during the tournament in South Africa.
Recent World Cup theme songs have also featured global stars. In 2014, Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte performed We Are One (Ole Ola) for the tournament in Brazil.
For the 2018 tournament in Russia, Nicky Jam, Will Smith and Era Istrefi released Live It Up.
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA rolled out multiple soundtrack songs, including Hayya Hayya (Better Together) by Trinidad Cardona, Davido and Aisha.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
This week, African Voices, the Globacom-sponsored magazine programme on CNN International, turns its searchlight on Ejatu Shaw the London-based photographer and multidisciplinary artist whose work continues to refract heritage into striking visual poetry.
Born in 1996, Shaw is a graduate of University of Westminster, where she earned a Master’s degree in Photography Arts in 2020. Yet the true genesis of her craft predates the academy. It was during a 2013 family sojourn to Sierra Leone that her creative awakening first flickered—like light finding its way through a narrow aperture—setting her on a path of introspective exploration.
Her oeuvre is a delicate tapestry, interweaving strands of Islamic faith with the vibrant textures of African heritage. Echoes of the great studio photographers of the 1960s and 1970s—such as Malick Sidibé, Sory Sanlé, and Omar Yahia Barram—resonate subtly within her compositions, like ancestral voices carried on a visual wind.
From these influences, Shaw has cultivated a practice rooted in memory and self-inquiry. Through self-portraiture and conceptually layered projects, she transforms personal recollections into images that speak with both intimacy and universality—mirrors in which the past and present quietly converge.
Her ascent has been both swift and assured. In 2025, the British Fashion Council named her a New Wave Creative, affirming her place among a new generation of cultural vanguards. In the same year, her lens captured figures of global renown, including Angela Bassett for EBONY, Cynthia Erivo for The Guardian, Sunday Times and Vogue, and Usain Bolt for Puma.
She also conceived and shot the album cover for Craig David—each frame a testament to her evolving visual language.
African Voices airs on Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., with further broadcasts on Sunday at 3:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., and repeat transmissions on Monday at 3:00 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.—an invitation to witness, through Shaw’s eyes, a world where identity is not fixed, but fluid, luminous, and ever unfolding.
Nigeria-born Afro-pop star, Joeboy, whose melodies now ripple across continents, takes centre stage this week on the Easter edition of African Voices, the Globacom-sponsored CNN magazine programme.
In a captivating session from Lagos, show anchor Larry Madowo drew out the rhythm of Joeboy’s journey, tracing the arc from a starry-eyed university dreamer to a maestro whose songs now traverse the globe like whispered secrets carried on the wind.
Born Joseph Akinwale Akinfenwa-Donus in 1997, Joeboy—affectionately dubbed Afrobeats’ “lover boy”—embarked on his musical odyssey in 2017 with a viral reinterpretation of Ed Sheeran’s Shape of You.
This pivot from rap to melodious crooning caught the discerning eye of Nigerian artiste and entrepreneur Mr Eazi, who, upon discovering him on Instagram, extended an invitation to join the emPawa Africa Talent Incubation initiative—a sanctuary for budding African talents where raw potential is nurtured into brilliance.
The partnership bore fruit in 2018 with the release of Fààjí, featuring Mr Eazi, and soon after, Joeboy was signed to Warner Music Africa. From there, his ascent became a symphony of milestones: the intoxicating single Baby in 2019, followed by Beginning, which amassed over 23 million views on YouTube, and Love & Light the same year.
Collaborations with Mayorkun yielded the spirited tracks Don’t Call Me and All for You, further cementing his place in the Afrobeats constellation.
Joeboy’s debut album, Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic, unfurled in February 2021, a melodic tapestry of youth, hope, and desire. By 19 May 2023, he unveiled his sophomore studio effort, Body & Soul, preceded by the evocative singles Sip (Alcohol), Contour, Body & Soul, and Duffel Bag. In 2023, he teased the world with Only God Save Me and the extended EP Body, Soul and Spirit, offering listeners a window into the essence of his artistic spirit.
February 2024 marked another milestone as he launched his own imprint, Young Legend, soon releasing Osadebe, a track that resonated nationwide with the familiar warmth of homegrown brilliance.
Joeboy’s dedication has been richly rewarded. He clinched Best Artiste in African Pop at the 2019 All Africa Music Awards and Best Pop at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival. His music has earned numerous nominations, including at the City People Entertainment Awards and The Headies, affirming his status as a luminary of contemporary African sound.
The Easter edition of African Voices featuring Joeboy will air on DSTV Channel 401 at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, with repeats at 11 a.m.; Sunday at 3:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Monday at 3 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.; and Tuesday at 5:45 p.m. The schedule will be mirrored the following week, culminating in Monday at 3 a.m., giving audiences multiple opportunities to bask in the artistry of a musician whose voice carries the pulse of a continent.
