Nigerian cinema has secured a commanding presence on the continental stage as the nominations for the 22nd Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA 2026) were officially unveiled. Leading the Nigerian contingent are Nwamaka Chikezie’s To Adaego With Love, Daniel Etim-Effiong’s The Herd, and Colours of Fire, which earned 11, 10, and nine nominations respectively, solidifying Nollywood's position as a major powerhouse ahead of the upcoming awards ceremony in Lagos.
The official announcement, broadcast globally via AMAA's digital platforms, revealed an expansive list of contenders across Africa and the Diaspora. Continental toppers include Uganda’s Slum Bomber and Kenya’s One Woman, One Bra, which bagged 14 nominations each. However, Nigerian productions dominated critical marquee categories, including Best Film, Best Director, and major acting categories.
In the coveted Best Director category, Nigerian filmmakers Nwamaka Chikezie (To Adaego With Love) and Daniel Etim-Effiong (The Herd) both earned nominations alongside international contenders such as Meekaaeel Adam (The Trek, South Africa), Maureen Nankya (Slum Bomber, Uganda), and Vincho Nchogu (One Woman, One Bra, Kenya). Both Chikezie and Etim-Effiong were also nominated for Best Debut Feature Film by a Director.
The acting categories feature a strong lineup of Nigerian talent. In the Best Actor in a Leading Role category,Daniel Etim-Effiong (The Herd), Wale Ojo (Light Out), and Uzor Arukwe (Colours of Fire) picked up nominations. The Best Actress in a Leading Role category sees Chisom Agoawuike (To Adaego With Love),Faithia Balogun (Efunroye: The Unicorn), Osas Ighodaro (Colours of Fire), and Toyin Abraham (Oversabi Aunty) vying for the top honour.
In the supporting categories, Dele Odule (Iwe Ala), Femi Branch (Colours of Fire), Bucci Franklin (The Creek),and Bob-Manuel Udokwu (To Adaego With Love) were nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. For Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Linda Ejiofor (The Herd), Mercy Aigbe (Colours of Fire), Omowunmi Dada (Evi), and Patience Ozokwo (Onobiren) earned nods.
Nigerian productions also achieved widespread recognition across technical and specialty categories. In the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) Award for Best Nigerian Film, nine films made the shortlist,including Iwe Ala, To Adaego With Love, Colours of Fire, Suky, Efunroye (The Unicorn), The Herd, Cordelia,The Creek, and Oversabi Aunty. In the Ousmane Sembène Award for Best Film in an African Language,Nigerian titles Iwe Ala and Efunroye (The Unicorn) were shortlisted alongside entries from Uganda, Cameroon,Kenya, and South Africa.
The 22nd edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards ceremony will take place on 15 November 2026 at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, gathering filmmakers, industry professionals, and actors from across Africa and its Diaspora.
