Entertainment
2024 AMVCA: Nollywood’s Most Awarded AMVCAs Actors And Actresses
A look at Nollywood’s most awarded actors and actresses at the AMVCAs
As the excitement builds towards the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) ceremony on Tomorrow, anticipation runs high for who will become victorious this year.
The AMVCA honors a wide spectrum of talent, established and up-and-coming, and serves as a beacon of recognition for extraordinary accomplishments in Nollywood.
However, a few entertainers never fail to catch the attention of audiences with their enduring impact and this is always rewarded during awards season.
Here are Nollywood’s most awarded actors and actresses at the AMVCAs
A list of the most decorated Nollywood actors in AMVCA history since the inaugural ceremony in 2013 include:
1. Funke Akindele – 5 awards
Nollywood screen goddess Funke Akindele-Bello
The filmmaker and actress has received the most awards at the AMVCA with a total of five.
Her impressive collection showcases her undeniable talent for portraying relatable characters. She won her first award in 2014, a year she was nominated for her leading role in three different movies in the category of Best Actress in a Comedy. She won for her role in The Return of Sheri Koko.
Her other wins include Jenifa’s Diary (Best Actress in a Comedy Role, 2016, Best Actress in a Comedy Movie or TV Series, 2017, and Best Actress in a Comedy, 2020) and Omo Ghetto: The Saga (Best Actress in a Comedy, 2022).
The star filmmaker is nominated again this year in the Best Lead Actress category for her role in her record-breaking A Tribe Called Judah and is also in the running for Best Writing in a Movie for the same film.
2. Rita Dominic – 3 awards
Rita Dominic Anosike
Dominic is an example of strength and versatility. She has three AMVCAs to her credit for her ability to capture a range of emotions in different genres.
Dominic has won for her performance in The Meeting (New Era Award, 2014 and Best Actress in a Comedy, 2015) and her performance in 76 (Best Actress in a Drama/TV Series, 2017).
3. Osas Ighodaro – 2 awards
Osas Ighodaro [ SoMe Solutions]
The AMVCAs have twice recognised Ighodaro’s ability to portray complex characters, winning Best Actress in a Drama for Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story in 2022 and Best Actress in a Drama for Man of God in 2023.
4. Broda Shaggi – 2 awards
Broda Shaggi wins best actor in a comedy at AMVCA 2022
Known for his energetic character, Samuel Perry, popularly known as Broda Shaggi, has carved a unique niche in the comedic landscape. His comedic timing has garnered him two AMVCAs for Dwindle (Best Actor in a Comedy, 2022) and Inside Life (Best Actor in a Comedy Drama, 2023), solidifying his status as a comedic force.
5. OC Ukeje – 2 awards
A look at Nollywood’s most awarded actors and actresses at the AMVCAs [Instagram/octhegreatukeje]
Ukeje is another testament to versatility. He seamlessly transitions between dramatic and comedic roles.
He’s won AMVCAs for Two Brides and a Baby (Best Actor in a Drama, 2013) and Confusion Na Wa (Best Actor in a Drama, 2015).
6. Odunlade Adekola – 2 awards
Odunlade Adekola has won twice at the AMVCAs
A figure in Yoruba cinema, Adekola is not only a captivating actor but also a skilled director. His dedication to his craft and ability to connect with viewers has resulted in two AMVCA wins.
Whether in a leading role, like A Million Baby (Best Actor in a Comedy, 2018), or a supporting role, like Jankariwo (Best Supporting Actor, 2022), Adekola consistently delivers memorable performances.
Entertainment
Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn
Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes becomes Nollywood’s highest-grossing film of 2025, earning ?1.77bn in under four weeks.
Multi-award-winning actress and producer Funke Akindele has done it again, and this time, the numbers speak louder than applause.
Her latest film, Behind The Scenes, has officially emerged as the highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2025, pulling in an astonishing ?1.767 billion in less than four weeks.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Funke Akindele Makes Box Office History as Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn
Earlier in its release cycle, the film’s distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, revealed that Behind The Scenes smashed five opening-weekend records, including the highest single-day gross ever recorded on Boxing Day, with ?129.5 million in one day. That announcement already hinted that something unusual was unfolding.
Reacting to the milestone, FilmOne described the moment as both surreal and communal, crediting audience loyalty for pushing the film to the top spot once again as the number-one movie of the weekend. And that sentiment feels accurate. This wasn’t just ticket sales; it was momentum.
What makes this achievement even more striking is that Behind The Scenes is Funke Akindele’s third film to cross the ?1 billion mark. Before now, there was A Tribe Called Judah, and then Everybody Loves Jenifa, a film that didn’t just open big, but went on to become the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time. At this point, it’s no longer a fluke. It’s a pattern.
Part of Behind The Scenes’ success lies in strategy. The film enjoyed advanced screenings on December 10 and 11, quietly building curiosity and conversation before its nationwide release on December 12. By the time it officially hit cinemas, audiences already felt like they needed to see it.
Then there’s the cast. The film brings together a lineup that feels deliberately stacked: Scarlet Gomez, Iyabo Ojo, Destiny Etiko, Tobi Bakre, Uche Montana, and several others. Familiar faces, strong fan bases, and performances that kept word-of-mouth alive long after opening weekend.
Still, beyond timing and casting, there’s something else at work here. Funke Akindele understands Nigerian audiences. Their humour, their pacing, their emotional buttons. She doesn’t guess, she calculates, experiments, listens, and refines. That understanding has slowly turned into box-office dominance.
Behind The Scenes crossing ?1.77 billion isn’t just another headline; it’s confirmation. Funke Akindele has moved from being a successful actress to becoming one of the most reliable commercial forces Nollywood has ever produced. Three-billion-naira films don’t happen by luck. They happen when storytelling, business sense, and audience trust align.
And right now, that alignment seems firmly in her hands.
Entertainment
Adekunle Gold, Simi Welcome Twin Babies
Popular Nigerian music stars, Adekunle Kosoko, widely known as Adekunle Gold, and his wife, Simi, have become parents again this time to twins.
The award-winning singer shared the joyful update on his Snapchat story on Wednesday, confirming the expansion of their family.
“Asked God for another child and he blessed me double,” she wrote.
While the couple has not yet disclosed the gender of the newborns, the announcement has sparked an outpouring of warm wishes from admirers, fellow celebrities, and industry colleagues.
Speculation had intensified in December when Simi posted a video on Instagram accompanied by the caption, “From my baby, for my babies.”
The clip showed her with a growing baby bump, fueling anticipation that another child was on the way.
Their latest blessings arrive just weeks after Simi highlighted a scene from Adekunle Gold’s newly released music video, “My Love is the Same,” further stirring excitement among fans.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Adekunle Gold and Simi who tied the knot in 2019 after a long history of friendship and musical synergy remain one of Nigeria’s most admired entertainment power couples. Both artistes were once signed to X3M Music before soaring into mainstream acclaim.
The pair welcomed their first child, Adejare Kosoko, fondly called Deja, in May 2020.
Entertainment
Jesse Flames Opens 2026 With ‘Praise The Lord’ Featuring Magnito
After closing out 2025 with the release of “Praise the Lord” featuring Magnito, Jesse Flames enters the new year with renewed clarity and purpose, continuing to build a body of work rooted in intention rather than noise. In a moment where Afrobeats is moving faster and louder than ever, his approach remains measured and deliberate, prioritizing meaning, craft, and longevity over momentary attention. The official music video arrives January 10.
Following the momentum of his breakout single “FLEX,” “Praise the Lord” represents a shift from celebration to grounding. Reflective and soulful, the record centers gratitude, growth, and perspective, capturing a quieter confidence that resonates beyond a single moment.
“This song is about recognizing the full picture,” Jesse shares. “The work people see and the work they don’t. The lessons, the setbacks, the growth.”
The collaboration with Magnito, a respected voice in Nigerian hip hop known for his sharp lyricism and cultural authenticity, adds depth and weight to the record, reinforcing its themes of resilience, faith, and self reflection.
Released in December at the height of Detty December, “Praise the Lord” became a natural soundtrack for both celebration and reflection as the year came to a close. With the video arriving in January, the record takes on new meaning, opening the year as a tone setter rather than a reset.
Born in the United States, raised in Festac, Lagos, and now based in London, Jesse Flames brings a global perspective to his sound, blending Afrobeats, hip hop, and melodic soul into something sleek and intentional. His music reflects lived experience and cultural nuance rather than trend chasing.
The Tide Entertainment reports that with over 11 million streams, performances at O2 Brixton Academy and OVO Arena Wembley, and coverage from The Guardian and Business Post Nigeria, Jesse’s rise has been steady and self made. Looking ahead to 2026 and 2027, he is preparing for collaborations with Ice Prince, M.I Abaga, and Smurlee.
“Praise the Lord” ft. Magnito is available now on all streaming platforms.
