Iyke Bede
Nigerian movies have emerged among the many main contenders for the twenty second Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), with Nwamaka Chikezie’s ‘To Adaego With Love’ and Daniel Etim-Effiong’s ‘The Herd’ securing 11 and 10 nominations, respectively, as the 2026 nominees have been unveiled at a ceremony attended by notable figures within the Nigerian movie trade.
The two productions are among the many main entries on this yr’s nominations, though Uganda’s ‘Slum Bomber’ and Kenya’s ‘One Woman, One Bra’ occupy the highest positions with 14 nominations every. South Africa’s ‘The Trek’ and ‘Ben Made It’, alongside Côte d’Ivoire’s ‘Colours of Exile’, additionally secured 10 nominations apiece.
The nominations positioned Nigerian productions in competition throughout a number of main classes, together with Best Film, Best Director, appearing, screenplay and technical achievements.
For Nigeria, the efficiency of ‘To Adaego With Love’ is especially notable. The historic romance explores the lingering divisions of the Nigerian Civil War via the connection between a Northern Nigerian soldier and an Igbo schoolteacher from the war-affected Eastern area.
It is nominated for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Supporting Actor for Bob-Manuel Udokwu and Best Debut Feature Film by a Director for Chikezie.
‘The Herd’ nominations embrace Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Debut Feature Film by a Director and Best Supporting Actress for Linda Ejiofor. Etim-Effiong’s exhibiting is especially important, as he has acquired particular person nominations for Best Director, Best Debut Feature Film by a Director and Best Actor in a Leading Role.
Meanwhile, Niyi Akinmolayan’s ‘Colours of Fire’ has 9 nominations, with its solid and crew represented in classes together with Best Actress in a Leading Role for Osas Ighodaro, Best Actor in a Leading Role for Uzor Arukwe, Best Supporting Actress for Mercy Aigbe and Best Supporting Actor for Femi Branch.
Nigeria’s sturdy illustration can also be mirrored within the Best Film class, the place ‘To Adaego With Love’ and ‘The Herd’ will compete in opposition to seven different productions from throughout the continent.
The different nominees are South Africa’s ‘The Trek’ and ‘Ben Made It’, Ghana’s ‘The Fisherman’, Côte d’Ivoire’s ‘Colours of Exile’, Uganda’s ‘Slum Bomber’, Kenya’s ‘One Woman, One Bra’ and Cameroon’s ‘Mabanda’.
The appearing classes have additionally produced a aggressive area, with established Nollywood performers among the many nominees.
In the Best Actor in a Leading Role class, Etim-Effiong will compete with Wale Ojo, nominated for ‘Light Out’, and Arukwe for ‘Colours of Fire’. They face Maurice Carpede for ‘The Trek’, Ricky Adelayitar for ‘The Fisherman’, Marcus Mabusela for ‘Ben Made It’, Abdoulaziz Sall for ‘Colours of Exile ’, and Kang Quintus for ‘Mabanda’.
The Best Actress in a Leading Role class options 4 Nigerian contenders: Agoawuike for ‘To Adaego With Love’, Faithia Balogun for ‘Efunroye (The Unicorn)’, Ighodaro for ‘Colours of Fire’ and Toyin Abraham for ‘Oversabi Aunty’.
They will compete in opposition to Sarah Karel for ‘One Woman, One Bra’, Deborah Kabongo for ‘Rusambo’, Jackline Nafula for ‘Slum Bomber’ and Naku Sy Savane for ‘Colours of Exile’.
Chikezie and Etim-Effiong are amongst 9 filmmakers nominated for Best Director. The class additionally options Meekaaeel Adam for ‘The Trek’, Azlorabe Alaoui for ‘Colours of Exile’, Maureen Nankya for ‘Slum Bomber’, Vincho Nchogu for ‘One Woman, One Bra’, Pheello Makosholo for ‘Ben Made It’, Kang Quintus for ‘Mabanda’ and Zoey Martinson for ‘The Fisherman’.
While asserting that the twenty second AMAA ceremony is scheduled for November 15 on the Lagos Marriott Hotel, the Chief Operating Officer of AMAA, Dr Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe, famous that AMAA has grow to be extra than simply an awards platform however a mirror reflecting Africa’s shared struggles, triumphs and various cultures.
“The films nominated this year remind us that African stories are global stories, possessing the power to captivate, challenge, and inspire audiences anywhere in the world,” he mentioned.
