Nollywood star Lilian Afegbai has publicly called out the organizers of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, AMVCA, for failing to nominate her for its 2026 edition. The actress expressed her deep disappointment on social media shortly after the nominees for the 12th edition of the prestigious awards were unveiled. Afegbai, who gained significant acclaim for her role in the hit series “To Kill A Monkey,” feels that her contribution to the project was overlooked by the award’s jury.
The controversy erupted when the full list of nominees showed that her co-star, Bimbo Akintola, earned a nod for Best Lead Actress, while Afegbai was missing from the acting categories. This omission has sparked a heated debate among fans of the series who believe that Afegbai delivered a career-defining performance. The actress has now joined a growing list of movie stars who have questioned the transparency and criteria used by the AMVCA organizers in recent years.
The Idia character and its cultural impact
Afegbai argued that her character, Idia, was the most trending and talked-about figure in the “To Kill A Monkey” series throughout the past year. She noted that her portrayal of the character resonated deeply with the audience, leading to widespread social media engagement and critical praise. According to her, the “100 percent” acting she delivered deserved at least a recognition in the Best Supporting Actress category.
The actress pointed out that the popularity of a character should be a significant factor when considering nominations in a viewers’ choice award. She believes that the impact Idia had on the viewers was undeniable and that the snub is a disservice to the hard work she put into the role. Many fans have taken to X to support her claim, sharing clips of her best moments from the series as evidence of her talent.
Rejecting the need for external validation
Despite her obvious frustration with the snub, Lilian Afegbai maintained that she does not rely on awards for professional validation. She stated that the love and support she receives from her fans are more valuable than any trophy. In a bold move, she told the organizers that they could “eat” their award, implying that her success is independent of their recognition.
“I always choose to believe everything happens for a reason,” she wrote on her X handle, seeking to move past the disappointment. She emphasized that her focus remains on creating quality content that speaks to the hearts of Nigerians and Africans at large. This “no-nonsense” attitude has been praised by some of her colleagues who have also felt slighted by major award bodies in the past.
Growing criticism of the AMVCA nomination process
The outcry from Lilian Afegbai is part of a larger conversation regarding the perceived inconsistencies in the AMVCA nomination process. Every year, several prominent actors and filmmakers voice their grievances over being excluded despite having successful projects. Critics argue that the organizers sometimes favor certain cliques within the industry while ignoring rising talents who are making significant waves.
The 12th edition of the awards features 32 categories, with a mix of jury-voted and audience-voted segments. However, the initial shortlisting process remains a point of contention for many stakeholders in Nollywood. As the award ceremony scheduled for May 9 approaches, the organizers face increasing pressure to be more inclusive and transparent in their selection criteria.
To Kill A Monkey dominates other categories
Despite the snub of Lilian Afegbai, the series “To Kill A Monkey” managed to secure several other nominations, including Best Series (Scripted) and Best Lead Actor for William Benson. The show also received nods in technical categories such as Best Cinematography and Best Costume Design. This high level of recognition for the production makes Afegbai’s individual exclusion even more surprising to industry observers.
The series, directed by Kemi Adetiba, has been hailed as a gritty and realistic portrayal of the Nigerian underworld. It features a stellar cast that includes Chidi Mokeme and Stella Damasus, who have also received accolades for their performances. For Afegbai, the success of the project is a win, even if she did not receive the individual trophy she felt she earned.
