Nollywood actress Lilian Afegbai has publicly criticized the organisers of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), stating she was overlooked for a nomination in the 2026 awards cycle despite her prominent role in the acclaimed series ‘To Kill A Monkey’.
The AMVCA, one of Africa’s most prestigious entertainment honours, unveiled its full nominees list for the 12th edition earlier this week. Among the contenders is Bimbo Akintola, Afegbai’s co-star in the M-Net produced drama, who received a nomination in the highly competitive Best Lead Actress in a Drama or Movie category. Afegbai’s absence from the nominations has sparked a public response from the actress.
Taking to her X (formerly Twitter) account, Afegbai expressed her disapproval, writing, “AMVCA smh. I always choose to believe everything happens for a reason. I don’t need a nomination for validation. The truth is clear: Nobody trended like Idia from TKAM last year. Her acting was 100. You guys can eat your award.” Her comments directly challenge the selection process, asserting that her portrayal of ‘Idia’ in ‘To Kill A Monkey’ generated more audience discussion and social media traction than any other character in the series during the eligibility period.
‘To Kill A Monkey’ was a significant hit in the 2025 viewing season, receiving widespread praise for its storytelling and performances. Afegbai’s character, Idia, was central to the narrative’s success, with her scenes frequently becoming trending topics across social media platforms in Nigeria and among the diaspora. Her statement frames the snub as a disconnect between popular audience reception and the awards committee’s final choices.
The AMVCA nominations are determined by a jury of industry professionals and are intended to recognise excellence in film, television, and documentary across the continent. While audience viewership and social media engagement are often cited as factors in an award show’s relevance, the official selection criteria prioritise artistic merit and technical achievement as assessed by the jury. This incident highlights the perennial tension between popular appeal and critical recognition in major award ceremonies.
Afegbai’s decision to publicly dismiss the award’s value underscores a growing sentiment among some creatives that industry accolades do not always align with viewer impact or commercial success. Her use of the phrase “you guys can eat your award” is a colloquial rejection of the nomination’s worth.
As of this report, the organisers of the AMVCA, owned by MultiChoice, have not issued a public response to Afegbai’s remarks. The 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Lagos in May 2026. This controversy adds to the ongoing national conversation about the transparency and relevance of award nomination processes within Nollywood and the broader African entertainment landscape.
