If you’ve been on the internet at any point since February 2025, you’ve most likely seen or read about Ashton Hall. He’s the American fitness influencer who broke the internet with a viral video of his hilariously insane 4 a.m. (mouth tape, ice-water face plunges, banana peels rubbed on his skin, and a very specific brand of sparkling water) all timestamped with military precision. The clip racked up hundreds of millions of views, got parodied by everyone and their mama, and turned Hall into one of the most memed men on the internet, currently with almost 19 million Instagram followers.

Since then, Hall has leaned all the way into the internet-famous-guy-goes-places pipeline, taking his format on the road. After a viral earlier in 2026, he announced a continent-wide “African Ashton Hall” search and kicked off a two-week Africa tour, touching down first in Ghana and is currently in Nigeria.

He’s been in the country for about a day now. Here’s everything he’s been up to so far.

When Ashton Hall landed in Nigeria, he got welcomed with a cultural dance troop, as is custom for Nigerians for some reason.

He also joined them to dance while draped in a Nigerian flag. Because why the hell not?

He got yelled at by the car spotter people who seemingly stand by the side of the road and scream at every cool car they see.

They were probably expecting more than a fist bump in return, though.

Got quizzed on his knowledge of Nigerian pidgin English slangs.

“Give it to me in a sentence” is very much giving Akeelah and the Bee.

Got hoisted in the air without warning at an event organised by Nigerian fitness influencers.

I love how mentally-prepared he seemingly is for anything. Anybody else would’ve thought they were being attacked.

Got yelled at again by hella noisy bodybuilder and fitness influencer, Jack Manuel.

Visiting Nigeria as a famous streamer must be so stressful. From their POV, I imagine it’s just people screaming at you from every corner.

Was asked to “bless” an army of area boys and ended up doing so, but not in the way they wanted.

LMFAO!

Got dared to carry a 104kg sack of maize out of a truck.

You know the real winner here? The person whose job it was to bring out that sack. They were able to get free labour out of Ashton under the guise of entertainment. Work smarter, not harder.

Was talked into going on a midnight run/silent disco on the streets of Lagos with a pack of muscle bros.

I pity the fool who tries to rob this crew.

Was forced to reveal who his trainer is.

Who knew Meshkiey had a secret fitness trainer career? Guess you can’t judge a book by its cover. If you want a body like Ashton’s, do as Meskiey said: “Drink water, lift weights, and eat your meat.”

Met Don Jazzy.

That’s it. Meeting THEE Don Jazzy is enough of an honour.

Had to turn down a group of kids who challenged him to a race with the caveat that if they win, he’ll give them $1,000.

They saw multiple people beat him in races online and came here trying to finesse. LMAO!

–

What do you think about Ashton Hall’s time in Nigeria so far?

ALSO READ: The 10 Best Nollywood Movies Of 2026 So Far, Ranked

Njideka Akunyili Crosby is a Nigerian visual artist who lives and works in Los Angeles. Through her , Akunyili “negotiates the cultural terrain between her adopted home in America and her native Nigeria, creating collage and photo transfer-based paintings that expose the challenges of occupying these two worlds”.

Njideka Akunyili Crosby was born and raised in Enugu, and is the daughter of the late Dora Akunyili, former director general of NAFDAC, and Chike Akunyili, a surgeon.

She moved to the US, initially planning to study medicine. But pivoted to art in her senior year at Swarthmore after realising she enjoyed her studio classes more than organic chemistry. She would later get an MFA from the Yale University School of Art.

According to Akunyili, she felt a strong urge to tell her experiences as a Nigerian in the diaspora through her art.

Here鈥檚 a list of just some of her achievements over the years:

In 2018, Akunyili designed the mural that wrapped the The mural features her signature style of combining painting with , printmaking, and drawing to create intricate, layered scenes. She was the second artist to create a mural for the site under a new initiative by the museum. Her work was also included in the 2022 exhibition Women Painting Women at the .

In 2026, she was commissioned by the Obama Foundation to produce a portrait of Barack and Michelle Obama for the Obama Presidential Centre in Chicago.

PICTURED: Njideka Akunyili Crosby, 鈥溾�� (2026)

The portrait was just unveiled and will be displayed in the museum鈥檚 main lobby. It鈥檚 also expected to be part of a broader exhibition at the centre celebrating Obama鈥檚 legacy.

As is her art style, Akunyili placed hidden gems within the painting that tell the story of the couple鈥檚 lives. Such as a view of Michelle鈥檚 childhood home, the Grammys they both won for their memoirs, etc.

Scroll down to see the complete list of AMVCA 2026 winners.

Here is the complete list of AMVCA 2026 winners (in bold) and nominees.

Best Costume Design 

鈥淐olours of Fire鈥� 鈥� Valerie Okeke (WINNER)

鈥淭he Serpent鈥檚 gift鈥� 鈥� Mary Chukuma

鈥淭he Real Housewives of Lagos (S3)鈥� 鈥� Deola Art Alade, Darey Art Alade

Something About The Briggs鈥� 鈥� Yolanda Okereke

鈥淭o Kill a Monkey鈥� 鈥� Ikechukwu Urum, John Joseph Angel

Best Makeup

鈥淟isabi (A Legend Is Born)鈥� 鈥� Adeola Thelma Bamgboye (WINNER)

鈥淏ehind The Scenes鈥� 鈥� Mojisola Imam

鈥淕ingerr鈥� 鈥� Diablaq Artistry

鈥淎banisete鈥� 鈥� Adeola Thelma Bamgboye

鈥淲arlord鈥� 鈥� Hakeem Onilogbo (Hakeem Effect)

鈥淪uky鈥� 鈥� Ruth Harcourt

鈥淟abake Olododo鈥� 鈥� Adeola Thelma Bamgboye

Best Art Direction 

鈥淐olours of Fire鈥� 鈥� Ajamolaya Bunmi (WINNER)

鈥淭he Serpent鈥檚 Gift鈥� 鈥� Zainab Oladupupo

鈥淭he Herd鈥� 鈥� Omolade Abisola

鈥淎ljana鈥�- Olatunji Afolayan, Gideon Stephen

鈥淪uky鈥� 鈥� Victor Akpan

鈥淚nimba鈥� 鈥� Thabiso Senne

Best Sound/Sound Design

鈥淢y Father鈥檚 Shadow鈥� 鈥� Pius Fatoke, CJ Mirra (WINNER)

鈥淕ingerrr鈥� 鈥� Tolu Obanro

鈥淏en Made It鈥� 鈥� Vaughan Phillips

鈥淭he Party鈥� 鈥� Tolu Obanro

鈥淪ebata (The Beast)鈥� 鈥� Vaughan Phillips

鈥淭he Herd鈥� 鈥� Fisayo Adefolaju

Best Cinematography

鈥淭o Kill A Monkey鈥� 鈥� Kabelo Thathe (WINNER)

鈥淢y Father鈥檚 Shadow鈥� 鈥� Jermaine Edwards

鈥淭he Herd鈥� 鈥� Emmanuel Igbekele

鈥淔inding Nina鈥� 鈥� Daanong Gyang

鈥淭he Serpent鈥檚 Gift鈥� 鈥� Emmanuel Igbekele

鈥淪titches鈥� 鈥� KC Obiajulu

鈥淕ingerr鈥� 鈥� Emmanuel Igbekele

Best Writing TV Series 

鈥淢TV Shuga Masahariki鈥� 鈥� Annette Shadeya, Natasha Likimani, Mkamzee Mwatela, Arnold Mwanjila, Makgano Mamabolo (WINNER)

鈥淭he Wives鈥� 鈥� Donald Tombia, Timendu Aghahowa, Chiemeka Osuagwu

鈥淥ur Husband鈥� 鈥� Xavier Ighorodje

鈥淎ddis Fikir鈥� 鈥� Besufekade Mulu

鈥淏aba OH鈥� 鈥� Temilola Balogun

鈥淭he Party鈥� 鈥� Stephen Okonkwo

鈥淕izat鈥� 鈥� Yednekachew Ayne

Best Writing in a Movie

鈥淢y Father鈥檚 Shadow鈥� 鈥� Wale Davies (WINNER)

鈥淭he Herd鈥� 鈥� Lani Aisida

鈥淏lackout鈥� 鈥� Ikenna Okpara

鈥淐ards on the Table鈥� 鈥� Shirleen Wangari

鈥淕ingerrr鈥� 鈥� Xavier Ighorodje

鈥淪uky鈥� 鈥� Isaac Ayodeji鈥�

鈥�3 Cold Dishes鈥� 鈥� Tomi Adesina

Best Digital Content Creator

鈥淟eave To Live鈥� 鈥� Emmanuel Kanaga and Sophia Chisom (WINNER)

鈥淒r Judgina 鈥� Situationally Transmitted Delusion鈥� 鈥� Elozonam Ogbolu and Genoveva Umeh

鈥淭he Marriage List鈥� 鈥� Destiny Ogie Osarewinda

鈥淭he Rate Race鈥� 鈥� Benedict Ehimare Oriaifo

鈥淟uxury Koko鈥� 鈥� Maryam Apaokagi-Greene (Taaoma)

鈥淎ugust Meeting Election鈥� 鈥� Steve Chuks

鈥淒id I Just Hear Muah鈥� 鈥� Akwaman

Best Indigenous Language Film (Central Africa)

鈥淢abanda鈥� 鈥� Kang Quintus (WINNER)

鈥淪afou (A Gift From Nature)鈥� 鈥� Nyasha Makamba

鈥淕olden Spoon鈥� 鈥� Egbe Francis Ettabrown

Best Indigenous Language Film (North Africa)

鈥淎rtal Alhanin: Our Memories鈥� 鈥� Mohamed Awad and Mohamed Abdulraham Eldouma (WINNER)

鈥淭he Omnipresent鈥� 鈥� Youssef Ben Khalifa

鈥淭he Delivery鈥� 鈥� Abdalla Ezyan

鈥淭he Hidden Voice鈥� 鈥� Houssem Eddine Abdelwahed

鈥淭his is Portsaid鈥� 鈥� Abdalla Ezyan

Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa)

鈥淎ddis Fikir鈥� 鈥� Leul Shoaferaw (WINNER)

鈥淚nside Job鈥� 鈥� Kamau Wandug鈥檜, Joe Mahinda, Barbara Njeri Maina

鈥淪ayari鈥� 鈥� Omar Hamza, June Wairegi

鈥淢y Son鈥� 鈥� Isarito Mwakalindile

鈥淜imote鈥� 鈥� Hassan Mageye

Best Indigenous Language Film (South Africa)

鈥淭lhaho Ya Mosadi鈥� 鈥� Naledi Galane, Promise Ramoroka, Ernest Ramoroka, Modipadi Mokgohioa (WINNER)

鈥淏et I Love You鈥� 鈥� Joseph Duke, Keamogetse Modise

鈥淪ebata (The Beast) 鈥� African Entertainers

鈥淏en Made It鈥� 鈥� Thabang Mathuumetse, Thapelo Dikhutso

鈥淭erra of Queens and Kuma 2鈥� 鈥� Neo Leonardo Mokoena

Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa)

鈥淟isabi (A Legend is Born)鈥� 鈥� Lateef Adedimeji (WINNERS)

“The Serpent鈥檚 Gift鈥� 鈥� Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi

鈥淟abake Olododo鈥� 鈥� Alice Iyabo Ojo, Olukanmi Abayomi, Aalaba Onaolapo, Kene Okwuosa, Ladun Awobokun

鈥淎ljana鈥� 鈥� Grace Yachat Yakubu

鈥淥lorisha鈥� 鈥� Abiola Adeshina

Best Editing

鈥淭o Kill a Monkey鈥� 鈥� Daniel Anyiam (WINNER)

鈥淐ordelia鈥� 鈥� Kazeem Agboola

鈥淢y Father鈥檚 Shadow鈥� 鈥� Omar Guzman Castro

鈥淟andline鈥� 鈥� Nwanguma Peter Chidebere, Dele Doherty

鈥�3 Cold Dishes鈥� 鈥� Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi鈥淥samede鈥� 鈥� Winston AIG-Ohioma

Best Documentary

鈥淏eyond Olympic Glory鈥� 鈥� Shedrack Salami (WINNER)

鈥淭he Good x The Bad of Afrobeat鈥� 鈥� Louis Ejiofor

鈥淭he People Shall鈥� 鈥� Mark Maina, Nick Wambugu

鈥淣ot Adressing This Anymore鈥� 鈥� Huzzain Bello

鈥淏OU鈥� 鈥� Mwaka Gerald Remmy

Best Short Film

鈥淗ussainin鈥� 鈥� Orire Nwani, Josh Olaoluwa (WINNER)

鈥淩ise鈥� 鈥� Jessie J. Rowlands

鈥淔leas鈥� 鈥� Jordy Sank

鈥淭elephone鈥� 鈥� Fimisinuola Adejonwo

鈥淢y Body, God鈥檚 Temple鈥� 鈥� Uzoamaka Power

Best Score/Music

鈥淢y Father鈥檚 Shadow鈥� 鈥� Duval Timothy, CJ Mirra (WINNER)

鈥�3 Cold Dishes鈥� 鈥� Nissi Ogulu

鈥淥samede鈥� 鈥� Chubb Okobah

鈥淕ingerrr鈥� 鈥� Tolu Obanro

鈥淭he Party鈥� 鈥� Tolu Obanro

鈥淢TV Shuga Mashariki鈥� 鈥� Sofresh

鈥淭o Kill a Monkey鈥� 鈥� Oscar Heman-Ackah

Best Indigenous M-Net Original

鈥淚nimba鈥� 鈥� Siphosethu Tshapu , Thandi Ramathesele and Yolanda Ndhlovu (WINNER)

鈥淜ukoyi鈥� 鈥� David Akande

鈥淯ndugu鈥� 鈥� Hatibu Madudu

鈥淥ut N鈥� About (Harar)鈥� 鈥� Bruk Yibrah

鈥淜amapala Creme鈥� 鈥� Joel Ndugwa

鈥淭he Chocolate Empire鈥� 鈥� Grace Kahaki and Phillippe Bresson

鈥淢gbuka鈥� 鈥� Eze Izu

Best Unscripted M-Net Original

鈥淣igerian Idol (S10)鈥� 鈥� Sulaiman Kassim, Anneke De Ridder (WINNER)

鈥淭he Real Housewives of Lagos (S3)鈥� 鈥� Deola Art Alade, Darey Art Alade

鈥淯ltimate Girls Trip: Africa鈥� 鈥� Graeme Swanepoel

鈥淥ff Air鈥� 鈥� Gbemi and Toolz

鈥淥ut N鈥� About鈥� 鈥� Bruk Yibrah

READ HERE: AMVCA 2026: We Ranked The Must-See Celebrity Fashion

Best Scripted M-Net Original

鈥淭he Low Priest鈥� 鈥� Femi D. Ogunsanwo (WINNER)

鈥淎dam to Eve鈥� 鈥� Lizz Njagah and Alexandros Konstantaras

鈥淢other of the Brides鈥� 鈥� Rogba Arimoro and Bio Arimoro

鈥淭he Yard鈥� 鈥� James Kalu Omokwe

鈥淏obo鈥� 鈥� Maurice Muendo

Best Supporting Actress

“The Herd鈥� 鈥� Linda Ejiofor (WINNER)

鈥淥versabi Aunty鈥� 鈥� Olamide Kidbaby

鈥淕ingerrr鈥� 鈥� Bisola Aiyeola

鈥淭he Covenant Series鈥� 鈥� Sola Sobowale

鈥淎ljana鈥� 鈥� Nadia Dutch

鈥淭he Herd鈥� 鈥� Amal Umar

鈥淢TV Shuga Mashariki鈥� 鈥� Juliebrenda Nyambura

鈥淏ehind the Scenes鈥� 鈥� Funke Ayotunde Akindele

Best Supporting Actor 

鈥淭o Kill a Monkey鈥� 鈥� Bucci Franklin (WINNER)

鈥淭he Yard鈥� 鈥� Simileoluwa Hassan

鈥淕ingerrr鈥� 鈥� Lateef Adedemeji

鈥淐olours of Fire鈥� 鈥� Gabriel Afolayan

鈥淎gesinkole (King Of Thieves) 2鈥� 鈥� Femi Adebayo

鈥淩ed Circle鈥� 鈥� Lateef Adedimeji

鈥淥wabbe Thieves鈥� 鈥� Femi Branch

鈥淏ehind the Scenes鈥� 鈥� Uzor Arukwe

Best Lead Actress 

鈥淭he Serpent鈥檚 Gift鈥� 鈥� Linda Ejiofor (WINNER)

鈥淭o Kill a Monkey鈥� 鈥� Bimbo Akintola

鈥淭he Lost Days鈥� 鈥� Ifeoma Fafunwa

鈥淪omething About The Briggs鈥� 鈥� Ariyike Owolagba

鈥淗er Excellency鈥� 鈥� Sola Sobowale

鈥淏ehind the Scenes鈥� 鈥� Scarlet Gomez

鈥淭he Herd鈥� 鈥� Genoveva Umeh

鈥淢other of the Brides鈥� 鈥� Gloria Anozie-Young

Best Lead Actor 

鈥淐olours of Fire鈥� 鈥� Uzor Arukwe (WINNER)

鈥淥versabi Aunty鈥� 鈥� Mike Ezuruonye

鈥淟isabi (A Legend is Born)鈥� 鈥� Lateef Adedimeji

鈥淭o Kill a Monkey鈥� 鈥� William Benson

鈥淕randpa Must Obey鈥� 鈥� Kanaya O. Kanayo

鈥淏et I Love You鈥� 鈥� Khumbuza Meyiwa

鈥�3 Cold Dishes鈥� 鈥� Wale Ojo

鈥淩ed Circle鈥� 鈥� Femi Branch

Trailblazer Award

Uche Montana (WINNER)

Industry Merit Award

Sola Sobowale (WINNER)

Kanayo O. Kanayo (WINNER)

Best Scripted Series 

鈥淚nimba鈥� 鈥� Siphosethu Tshapu, Thandi Ramathesele, Yolanda Ndhlovu (WINNER)

鈥淭o Kill a Monkey鈥� 鈥� Kemi Adetiba

鈥淭he Yard鈥� 鈥� James Kalu Omokwe

鈥淭he Chocolate Empire鈥� 鈥� Grace Kahaki, Philippe Bresson

鈥淜ash Money鈥� 鈥� Grace Khaki, Phillipe Benson

Best Director

鈥淢y Father鈥檚 Shadow鈥� 鈥� Akinola Davies JR (WINNER)

鈥淐ordelia鈥� 鈥� Tunde Kelani

鈥淥samede鈥� 鈥� James Kaluu Omokwe

鈥淭he Herd鈥� 鈥� Daniel Etim Effiong

鈥淕ingerrr鈥� 鈥� Yemi Filmboy Morafa

鈥�3 Cold Dishes鈥� 鈥� Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi

Best Movie

鈥淢y Father鈥檚 Shadow鈥� 鈥� Funmbi Ogunbanwo, Rachel Dargavel (WINNER)

鈥淕ingerrr鈥� 鈥� Ope Ajayi, Bisola Aiyeola, Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, Wumi Toriola, Bolaji Ogunmola, Onyeka Nnama

鈥淭he Herd鈥� 鈥� Daniel Etim Effiong, Efe Ejukoriem, Ulogo Chukwudi, Kene Okwuosa, Craig Shurn, Ladun Awobokun

鈥�3 Cold Dishes鈥� 鈥� Martial Dansou, Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi, Ly Oumar

鈥淭he Serpent鈥檚 Gift鈥� 鈥� Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi

鈥淏ehind the Scenes鈥� 鈥� Funke Ayotunde Akindele, Wendy Uwadie Imaseun

READ HERE: AMVCA 2026: We Ranked The Must-See Celebrity Fashion

28 award categories were announced. New award categories are Best Indigenous Language (North Africa) and Best Indigenous Language (Central Africa), expanding the scope of regional representation.

The main awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in May 2026 in Lagos, Nigeria.

Here鈥檚 the full list of AMVCA 2026 nominees:

BEST DIGITAL CONTENT CREATOR

“Dr Judgina 鈥� Situationally Transmitted Delusion” 鈥� Elozonam Ogbolu and Genoveva Umeh

“The Marriage List” – Destiny Ogie Osarewinda

“Leave To Live” – Emmanuel Kanaga and Sophia Chisom

“The Rate Race” – Benedict Ehimare Oriaifo

“Luxury Koko” – Maryam Apaokagi-Greene (Taaoma)

“August Meeting Election” – Steve Chuks

“Did I Just Hear Muah” – Akwaman

BEST SCRIPTED MNET ORIGINALS

“Adam to Eve” – Lizz Njagah and Alexandros Konstantaras

“Mother of the Brides” – Rogba Arimoro and Bio Arimoro

“The Yard” – James Kalu Omokwe

“The Low Priest” – Femi D. Ogunsanwo

“Bobo” – Maurice Muendo

BEST INDIGINEOUS MNET ORIGINALS

“Inimba” – Siphosethu Tshapu , Thandi Ramathesele and Yolanda Ndhlovu

“Kukoyi” – David Akande

“Undugu” – Hatibu Madudu

“Out N’ About (Harar)” – Bruk Yibrah

“Kamapala Creme” – Joel Ndugwa

“The Chocolate Empire” – Grace Kahaki and Phillippe Bresson

“Mgbuka” – Eze Izu

BEST USCRIPTED MNET ORIGINALS

“Nigerian Idol (Season 10)” – Suleiman Kassim and Anneke De Ridder

“Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa” – Graeme Swanepoel and Jemma Ford

“Chappa Chappa My Love” – Ercilla Justino, Jojo Almeida and Gabriela Ueno

“Out N’ About” – Bruk Yibrah

“Undugu” – Hatibu Madudu

BEST SHORT FILM

“Rise” – Jessie J. Rowlands

“Fleas” – Jordy Sank

“Telephone” – Fimisinuola Adejonwo

“Hussainin” – Orire Nwani, Josh Olaoluwa

“My Body, God’s Temple” – Uzoamaka Power

BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE FILMS (WEST AFRICA)

“The Serpent’s Gift” – Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi

“Lisabi (A Legend is Born)” – Lateef Adedimeji

“Labake Olododo” – Alice Iyabo Ojo, Olukanmi Abayomi, Aalaba Onaolapo, Kene Okwuosa, Ladun Awobokun

“Aljana” – Grace Yachat Yakubu

“Olorisha” – Abiola Adeshina

BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE FILMS (EAST AFRICA)

“Inside Job” – Kamau Wandug’u, Joe Mahinda, Barbara Njeri Maina

“Sayari” – Omar Hamza, June Wairegi

“Addis Fikir” – Leul Shoaferaw

“My Son” – Isarito Mwakalindile

“Kimote” – Hassan Mageye

BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE FILMS ( SOUTHERN AFRICA)

“Bet I Love You” – Joseph Duke, Keamogetse Modise

“Sebata (The Beast) – African Entertainers

“Ben Made It” – Thabang Mathuumetse, Thapelo Dikhutso

“Terra of Queens and Kuma 2” – Neo Leonardo Mokoena

“Tlhaho Ya Mosadi” – Naledi Galane, Promise Ramoroka, Ernest Ramoroka, Modipadi Mokgohioa

BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE FILMS (NORTH AFRICA)

“The Omnipresent” – Youssef Ben Khalifa

“The Delivery” – Abdalla Ezyan

“The Hidden Voice” – Houssem Eddine Abdelwahed

“This is Portsaid” – Abdalla Ezyan

“Artal Alhanin: Our Memories” – Mohamed Awad and Mohamed Abdulraham Eldouma

BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE FILMS (CENTRAL AFRICA)

“Mabanda” – Kang Quintus

“Safou (A Gift From Nature)” – Nyasha Makamba

“Golden Spoon” – Egbe Francis Ettabrown

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

“The Yard” – Simileoluwa Hassan

“Gingerrr” – Lateef Adedemeji

“Colours of Fire” – Gabriel Afolayan

“To Kill a Monkey” – Bucci Franklin

“Agesinkole (King Of Thieves) 2” – Femi Adebayo

“Red Circle” – Lateef Adedimeji

“Owabbe Thieves” – Femi Branch

“Behind the Scenes” – Uzor Arukwe

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

“The Herd” – Linda Ejiofor

“Oversabi Aunty” – Olamide Kidbaby

“Gingerrr” – Bisola Aiyeola

“The Covenant Series” – Sola Sobowale

“Aljana” – Nadia Dutch

“The Herd” – Amal Umar

“MTV Shuga Mashariki” – Juliebrenda Nyambura

“Behind the Scenes” – Funke Ayotunde Akindele

BEST LEAD ACTOR

“Oversabi Aunty” – Mike Ezuruonye

“Lisabi (A Legend is Born)” – Lateef Adedimeji

“To Kill a Monkey” – William Benson

“Grandpa Must Obey” – Kanaya O. Kanayo

“Bet I Love You” – Khumbuza Meyiwa

“Colours of Fire” – Uzor Arukwe

“3 Cold Dishes” – Wale Ojo

“Red Circle” – Femi Branch

BEST LEAD ACTRESS

“The Serpent’s Gift” – Linda Ejiofor

“To Kill a Monkey” – Bimbo Akintola

“The Lost Days” – Ifeoma Fafunwa

“Something About The Briggs” – Ariyike Owolagba

“Her Excellency” – Sola Sobowale

“Behind the Scenes” – Scarlet Gomez

“The Herd” – Genoveva Umeh

“Mother of the Brides” – Gloria Anozie-Young

BEST ART DIRECTION

“The Serpent’s Gift” – Zainab Oladupupo

“The Herd” – Omolade Abisola

“Colours of Fire” – Ajamolaya Bunmi

“Aljana”- Olatunji Afolayan, Gideon Stephen

“Suky” – Victor Akpan

“Inimba” – Thabiso Senne

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

“My Father’s Shadow” – Jermaine Edwards

“To Kill A Monkey” – Kabelo Thathe

“The Herd” – Emmanuel Igbekele

“Finding Nina” – Daanong Gyang

“The Serpent’s Gift” – Emmanuel Igbekele

“Stitches” – KC Obiajulu

“Gingerr” – Emmanuel Igbekele

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

“The Serpent’s gift” – Mary Chukuma

“The Real Housewives of Lagos (S3)” – Deola Art Alade, Darey Art Alade

“Colours of Fire” – Valerie Okeke

Something About The Briggs” – Yolanda Okereke

“To Kill a Monkey” – Ikechukwu Urum, John Joseph Angel

BEST MAKEUP

“Behind the scenes” – Mojisola Imam

“Lisabi (A Legend Is Born)” – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye

“Gingerr” – Diablaq Artistry

“Abanisete” – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye

“Warlord” – Hakeem Onilogbo (Hakeem Effect)

“Suky” – Ruth Harcourt

“Labake Olododo” – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye

BEST SOUND/SOUND DESIGN

“My Father’s Shadow” – Pius Fatoke, CJ Mirra

“Gingerrr” – Tolu Obanro

“Ben Made It” – Vaughan Phillips

“The Party” – Tolu Obanro

“Sebata (The Beast)” – Vaughan Phillips

“The Herd” – Fisayo Adefolaju

BEST SCORE MUSIC

“My Father’s Shadow” – Duval Timothy, CJ Mirra

“3 Cold Dishes” – Nissi Ogulu

“Osamede” – Chubb Okobah

“Gingerrr” – Tolu Obanro

“The Party” – Tolu Obanro

“MTV Shuga Mashariki” – Sofresh

“To Kill a Monkey” – Oscar Heman-Ackah

BEST EDITING

“Cordelia” – Kazeem Agboola

“My Father’s Shadow” – Omar Guzman Castro

“Landline” – Nwanguma Peter Chidebere, Dele Doherty

“3 Cold Dishes” – Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi

“Osamede” – Winston AIG-Ohioma

“To Kill a Monkey” – Daniel Anyiam

BEST WRITING (MOVIE)

“The Herd” – Lani Aisida

“My Father’s Shadow” – Wale Davies

“Blackout” – Ikenna Okpara

“Cards on the Table” – Shirleen Wangari

“Gingerrr” – Xavier Ighorodje

“Suky” – Isaac Ayodeji”

“3 Cold Dishes” – Tomi Adesina

BEST WRITING (TV SERIES)

“The Wives” – Donald Tombia, Timendu Aghahowa, Chiemeka Osuagwu

“MTV Shuga Masahariki” – Annette Shadeya, Natasha Likimani, Mkamzee Mwatela, Arnold Mwanjila, Makgano Mamabolo

“Our Husband” – Xavier Ighorodje

“Addis Fikir” – Besufekade Mulu

“Baba OH” – Temilola Balogun

“The Party” – Stephen Okonkwo

“Gizat” – Yednekachew Ayne

BEST DOCUMENTARY

“Beyond Olympic Glory” – Shedrack Salami

“The Good x The Bad of Afrobeat” – Louis Ejiofor

“The People Shall” – Mark Maina, Nick Wambugu

“Not Adressing This Anymore” – Huzzain Bello

“BOU” – Mwaka Gerald Remmy

BEST SERIES (SCRIPTED)

“To Kill a Monkey” – Kemi Adetiba

“The Yard” – James Kalu Omokwe

“The Chocolate Empire” – Grace Kahaki, Philippe Bresson

“Inimba” – Siphosethu Tshapu, Thandi Ramathesele, Yolanda Ndhlovu

“Kash Money” – Grace Khaki, Phillipe Benson

BEST SERIES (UNSCRIPTED)

“The Real Housewives of Lagos (S3)” – Deola Art Alade, Darey Art Alade

“Nigerian Idol (S10)” – Sulaiman Kassim, Anneke De Ridder

“Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa” – Graeme Swanepoel

“Off Air” – Gbemi and Toolz

“Out N’ About” – Bruk Yibrah

BEST DIRECTOR

“My Father’s Shadow” – Akinola Davies JR

“Cordelia” – Tunde Kelani

“Osamede” – James Kaluu Omokwe

“The Herd” – Daniel Etim Effiong

“Gingerrr” – Yemi Filmboy Morafa

“3 Cold Dishes” – Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi

BEST MOVIE

“Gingerrr” – Ope Ajayi, Bisola Aiyeola, Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, Wumi Toriola, Bolaji Ogunmola, Onyeka Nnama

“The Herd” – Daniel Etim Effiong, Efe Ejukoriem, Ulogo Chukwudi, Kene Okwuosa, Craig Shurn, Ladun Awobokun

“My Father’s Shadow” – Funmbi Ogunbanwo, Rachel Dargavel

“3 Cold Dishes” – Martial Dansou, Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi, Ly Oumar

“The Serpent’s Gift” – Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi

“Behind the Scenes” – Funke Ayotunde Akindele, Wendy Uwadie Imaseun

SurgePay today announced its official launch as 鈥�The Complete Money Platform for Global Africans鈥�, the only integrated solution enabling users to receive, hold, send, and spend money across borders without the friction, fees, and delays that characterize traditional finance. SurgePay鈥檚 guiding principle is simple: 鈥淢oney should just work.鈥� The one money platform eliminates the need for multiple fragmented solutions, consolidating all international money needs into one seamless experience.

The timely advent of SurgePay directly addresses the $95 billion African remittance market and serves three core user segments: global earners (freelancers, remote workers earning foreign currency), diaspora supporters (Africans abroad funding family operations back home), and cross-border professionals (traders and entrepreneurs operating across multiple African markets). Current market data indicates over 4.8 million Nigerians alone earn in foreign currency, while an estimated 40 million strong diaspora population actively supports family and business interests across the continent.

Key Features:

鈥� Multi-currency support (7+ currencies, expanding to 10 supported countries)

鈥� Stablecoin-to-Naira conversions, eliminating P2P trust risks

鈥� Bank-grade encryption and security protocols

鈥� Sub-1-minute transfer times

鈥� No hidden fees; transparent pricing displayed upfront

鈥� Local withdrawal access in supported markets

鈥� Intuitive interface designed for varying technical literacy levels

鈥淲hen money moves freely, opportunity flows freely.鈥�

鈥淓very time someone uses SurgePay, a freelancer keeps more of what they earn. A family receives support faster and with less cost. A business operates more efficiently across borders,鈥� said Abiola E. Ekotson, spokesperson of SurgePay.

The African fintech landscape is fragmented. Users currently cobble together multiple applications; one for remittances, another for holding USD, a third for payments. SurgePay eliminates this friction by consolidating the complete money experience into a single, unified platform, thereby enabling users to manage all their money needs in one place with consistent, seamless experience. The addressable market includes 5 million Africans earning foreign currency, 2 million active cross-border business operators, and over 1 million diaspora members across major global hubs.

About SurgePay

SurgePay is a stablecoin-first, borderless money platform designed to simplify cross-border finance. By combining USD-denominated stablecoins with local African on- and off-ramps, SurgePay enables Africans and the global diaspora to earn, save, send, convert, and spend money instantly, avoiding the delays and friction of traditional banking.

The platform bridges global digital-dollar infrastructure with local financial systems, delivering fast, transparent, and reliable money movement across borders.

SurgePay is backed by the Stellar Community Foundation and Base, reinforcing its commitment to compliant, blockchain-powered financial infrastructure for emerging markets.

Learn more at surgepay.tech.

Media Contact:  

Abiola E. Ekotson,

Communications SurgePay  

media@surgepay.com  

+234 816-357-8396

From romance and comedy to psychological thrillers and historical epics, Nollywood has dipped its toes into most genres. But there’s one that it avoids like the plague.

Sci-fi.

And it’s clear why. Most sci-fi movies require large budgets for computer-generated imagery. And in Nigeria’s economy, no movie studio is willing to fork over the cash needed to rival franchises like and because there’s no guarantee they’ll make that money back, much less a profit. However, a couple of Nigerian filmmakers have tried their hands at the genre to varying levels of success. Here are 5 Nollywood sci-fi movies you probably had no idea exist.

1) Kajola (2009)

Director: Niyi Akinmolayan

Long before he started making waves at the box office with hits like The Wedding Party 2 and Elevator Baby, Niyi Akinmolayan set to make his debut feature film, a sci-fi epic named Kajola. Set in 2059, the movie tells the story of a dystopian future where a civil war has left Lagos in ruins, causing the elite to create a new society and government for themselves on the the island and leaving everyone on the ravaged mainland to fend for themselves in a Mad Max-style wasteland. When a young man named Allen gets wind of the elite’s plan to destroy what’s left of the mainland along with the people and rebuild, he serves John Connor realness and starts a rebellion.

I remember seeing the trailer for this in 2009 and being so hyped. Sure, the CGI was..one kind and the acting left a lot to be desired (I’m looking at you, Desmond Elliot), but it was something different from what Nollywood was churning out at the time. So imagine my disappointment when the reviews hit and critics reported that the movie was a mess of storytelling and wildly underdeveloped special effects. Cinema attendees rioted and hit the box office booths to get their money back. Then then they took to social media to voice their displeasure.

The movie got pulled from cinema two days after it premiered, and is pretty much lost media at this point. The trailer is still available to watch though.

2) (2018)

Director: CJ “Fiery” Obasi

Hello Rain is about three sisters, Rain (Keira Hewatch), Philo (Tunde Aladese), and Coco (Ogee Nelson), who use a unique mix of juju and science to create wigs that give them supernatural powers. At first, they use their new found abilities to gag the general public by serving astronomical levels of cunt. But Coco and Philo soon become power-drunk and start causing serious problems, leaving Rain 鈥� the only one with her wig on straight (see what I did there? lmao) 鈥� to stop her gworls.

Hello Rain very much gives the vibes, so I assumed it was inspired by that film. It turns out it’s actually based on a short story by Nnedi Okorafor titled Hello, Moto. The more you know. CJ, if you’re reading this, I need a feature length version of this one day.

3) Day of Destiny (2021)

Directors: Akay Mason and Abosi Ogba

Chidi and Rotimi (Olumide Oworu and Denola Grey, respectively) are brothers who are distraught because their family is suddenly poor as shit and has to move out of their house. During the road trip to their newer and more humble abode, Chidi and Rotimi encounter a mysterious man who claims he can send them back in time to change their financial fate. They agree and get sent 20 years into the past, thinking it鈥檒l be a cakewalk. However, these two clearly never saw the 2004 movie The Butterfly Effect and proceed to tamper with time so carelessly that they undo the circumstances that are supposed to lead to their births. Now they have to race against time to fix things before they cease to exist.

Day of Destiny tries to reheat the nachos of the first Back to the Future movie but fails in a lot of areas. The movie stumbles over its own time travel rules, the costumes and set design don’t align with the time period they’re supposed to be in, and the two leads aren’t convincing as teenagers (both actors were already in their 30s at the time). It does have some fun moments, though. For example, when they land in the year 2000 and immediately run into the plantashun boiz pre-fame, freestyling in the street.

4) Ratnik (2020)

Director: Dimeji Ajibola

Sarah Bello (Osas Ighodaro), a frontline soldier in World War 3, returns from the war to find her home, which was already shitty when she left due to war, in absolute chaos. Due to extended exposure to a dangerous chamical, Sarah’s sister, Angela (Meg Otanwa) is about to morph into one of the backup dancers from Michael Jackson’s Thriller (i.e. the undead). Now Sarah must race against time in a new kind of war, confronting advanced war machines and deadly threats to save her sister鈥檚 life and restore some semblance of order.

I’m going to be honest with you, this was a tough watch. The CGI is rough, the costumes are rougher, and the fight scenes are truly mesmerising (derogatory). On top of all that, you have Osas Ighodaro, who isn’t exactly Meryl Streep, as the lead.

5) The Day They Came (2014)

Director: Genesis Williams

The Day They Came is a pretty short film. A guy steps out of house to smoke a cigarette and witnesses the beginning of an alien invasion. That’s it. It was directed by Genesis Williams, a student of Niyi Akinmolayan, director Kajola of the first movie on this list. It’s way better than Kajola though due to its small scale.

Best Nollywood Movies YouTube (January 2026)

10. (2026)

Running time: 1h 49m

Director: Uduak-Obong Patrick

Genre: Romance

Love At First Lie follows Daniel Kingsley (Eso Dike), a businessman pretending to be richer than he is, and Amara Okorie (Omowunmi Dada), a woman struggling to stay afloat. A lie brings them together and turns into a relationship that starts out fake but slowly becomes real. As the truth about both their situations come out, they are forced to choose between holding on to the lie or being honest and risking everything, including their feelings for each other. The film explores themes of class, pride, emotional survival, and whether love can truly exist when it begins in deception.

9) (2026)

Running Time: 2h 4m

Director: Tobi Makinde

Genre: Drama

When Dayo鈥檚 (Maurice Sam) father dies suddenly, he鈥檚 forced to fight tooth and nail to keep his inheritance from his scheming stepmother, Nneka (Uche Jumbo), and stepbrother, Ike (Martins Ibikunle). Blood War puts a twist on the regular story of people having to fight elder relatives from the village for their inheritance by making the conflict between a stepmother and stepson. almost like a gender-swapped Cinderella story.

8) (2025)

Running Time: 2h 26m

Director: Great Val Edochie

Genre: Romance

Where Love Lives follows Deadi (Bimbo Ademoye) and her husband (Uzor Arukwe) as they move from a modest Alaba life into an upscale Lagos estate to mark their second anniversary. The upgrade exposes them to class tension, gossip, and pressure over their childless marriage, especially from flashy neighbours and intrusive relatives. With figures like Osas Ighodaro and Chioma Nwosu adding social friction, the couple must decide whether love can survive image, judgement, and expectations.

7) (2026)

Runtime: 1h 41m

Director: Olowojaiye Michael

Genre: Drama

Beyond Forever is a drama about how love is tested by time, distance and difficult decisions. The story centres on Adaobi (Sandra Okunzuwa), a devoted partner whose relationship with Tunde (Daniel Etim Effiong) faces intense strain when life forces them apart and demands painful sacrifices. Their already fragile connection is complicated further by Grace (Audrey Harrison), whose presence introduces emotional tension and challenges the couple鈥檚 faith in each other.

Watch on YouTube.

6) (2026)

Runtime: 1h 57m

Director: Gabriel Okoroji Sirkome

Genre: Comedy

Circle of Wives follows the implosion of a family when a man presumed dead returns home, shattering the life of his first wife (Bimbo Ademoye) after she discovers he married another woman during his absence (Uche Montana). Shock quickly gives way to rivalry, secrets, and emotional warfare as more women connected to him emerge, each insisting on their place in his life. The film explores love, betrayal, and the chaos that unfolds when competing loyalties and hidden relationships are dragged into the open, forcing everyone involved to face the cost of their choices.

5) (2026)

Runtime: 1h 48m

Director: Barnabas Benjamin

Genre: Drama

Behind Her Smile follows Ada (Luchy Donalds), a young woman whose cheerful exterior hides deep emotional pain after the death of her father. Taken in by a woman she believes she can trust, Ada鈥檚 life slowly unravels as care turns into cruelty, manipulation, and betrayal. The film explores how abuse, silence, and misplaced trust can exist behind even the brightest smile.

4) (2026)

Runtime: 2h 50m

Director: Nichobuagu Peters

Genre: Supernatural Drama

Almost Rich follows a humble shoemaker anmed Jidenna (Stephen Odimgbe) whose life takes an unexpected turn after a supernatural encounter grants him a chance at wealth, leading to tests of love, loyalty and the challenges that come with sudden changes in fortune.

3) (2026)

Runtime: 2h 6m

Director: Simon Emeka

Genre: Drama

Uju鈥檚 War tells the story of a newlywed Uju (Sonia Uche) whose marriage to Benjamin (Bryan Okwara) hits trouble almost immediately when her mother-in-law (Chioma Nwosu) arrives unannounced and refuses to leave. What begins as minor disagreements over household routines (like who cooks and how things should be done) rapidly escalates into constant conflict and psychological tension in the home, turning everyday life into a battlefield between daughter-in-law and mother-in-law.

2) (2025)

Runtime: 2h 20m

Director: Jide JBlaze Oyegbile

Genre: Romance

Brown Sugar follows Magaret (Tina Mba) a 60-year-old executive as she fights the deepest battle of her life: a deep and unexpected crush on her 29-year-old intern, Tobi (Eronini Osinachi). As office whispers turn to full-blown scandal and her daughter rejects the relationship entirely, she must make a decision: choose love, or everything she’s worked for.

1) (2025)

Runtime: 2h 6m

Director: Esther Akapo

Genre: Drama

A young man whose sister鈥檚 overbearing love life interference threatens his relationship with the woman he truly cares about, Ivie. As his sister鈥檚 actions repeatedly undermine his chances at happiness, he must find a way to balance family loyalty and his own heart鈥檚 desires, learning that love sometimes demands boundary, sacrifice and tough choices.

ALSO READ: 20 Things We Predict Will Happen in Nigerian Pop Culture in 2026

1) Omoni Oboli will release a third Love in Every Word movie.

After the first movie’s inexplicable success, Omoni Oboli gave the people what they wanted with a sequel titled, Love in Every Word: The Wedding, released seven months after the original, to just as much fanfare. However, the sequel only covered the main couple’s traditional wedding, with the last scene showing the two leads shopping for a wedding dress. Which is why I predict a third movie probably titled, Love in Every Word: The White Wedding will be released on the 14th of February 2026 to capitalise on the holiday of love.

It’ll be just as underwhelming and product-placement-filled as the others.

2) Other YouTube Nollywood channels will try to ride on the coattails of Love in Every Word’s success.

YouTube Nollywood is about to give a run for their money with a dizzying flurry of titles like, Love in That Word, Love in One Word, Love Beyond Words, Love Beneath Words, Love is your Word, Oh Word? Love, Love is Our Word: A Communist’s Love Agenda…

3) Asake will shock everyone by keeping his current look.

Asake has spent his entire career serving us one jarring look after another. So in October 2025, when he showed up with this clean-shaven look, people were less surprised that he was debuting yet another face and more about his shaved head. Some people that he’s having an identity crisis while others said he was simply taking advantage of being able to afford to look however he wants. Whatever the reason, I predict he’s going to gag us all by keeping this look for at least the next two years.

4) There will be an insane number of Nollywood romance movies with age gap relationships.

When the time comes, remember we did it .

5) Avengers Doomsday will gag everyone as usual.

Rumours that large portions of the cast don鈥檛 understand the movie鈥檚 direction or plot due to them only acting alongside test dummies on green-screen soundstages have caused comic book movie fans to assume the movie is going to be a disaster. And while I get the panic, I need everyone to relax and unclench. The truth is all the other Avengers movies were filmed in this admittedly chaotic way, held been held together by CGI, nostalgia, and cameos. The difference between then and now is how much harder it鈥檚 gotten to prevent set leaks.

6) More Nigerians will feature AI “artists”.

Ai “artists” are charting, racking up hundreds of thousands of streams, and even getting official from established stars. More Nigerian artists are going to it in 2026, and many people won鈥檛 be happy about it. The real gag is most people won鈥檛 even notice. And those that notice, won’t care.

7) One Nollywood titan will hold the Nigerian December box office hostage, and everyone else in the space will be so fucking mad about it.

At this point, the rivalry over who the Monarch of Nollywood is (specifically in December) deserves its own Empire-style TV show. We could name it Heated Rivalry…

8) Charles Okpakele (Charles of Play), the producer behind Nollywood remakes like Living in Bondage: Breaking Free and Nneka the Pretty Serpernt (2020) will announce that he’s gotten his hands on the rights for yet another Nollywood classic scheduled to be released in 2027.

If it ends up being Diamond Ring, I will jump out of a window.

9) Burna Boy won’t release a new album.

Maybe he’ll realise that churning out albums almost every year is draining his creative juices, or his team will force him to stay out of the public eye after the consequences of his bad behaviour over the years finally caught up to him and started affecting his money. Either way, we’re not getting new music from Burna. And that’s not a bad thing.

10) Wizkid’s son, Boluwatife Balogun, will drop a surprise album.

Fourteen-year-old Boluwatife, stage-named Champz, dropped his debut EP, Champion’s Arrival, in 2025. It debuted at #1 on Apple Music Nigeria, racked up over a million streams on Spotify in 24 hours, and forced me to grapple with my own mortality as the thought of Wizkid having a 14-year-old sent me into a spiral. With that kind of success, he’ll drop a full album this year. Because what else is he doing?

11) Idris Elba will change his mind regarding the upcoming Things Fall Apart TV adaptation.

When A24 announced in 2024 that they’d acquired the rights to Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart” with plans to have Idris Elba play Okonkwo (the book’s protagonist) in a TV adaptation, Nigerian Twitter lost its collective shit. I predict he’s going to deem all of the backlash that’ll follow his performance not worth it, turn down the starring role but stay on as an executive producer.

12) At least two popular juice brands will needlessly revamp their packaging, causing the drinks to look more like body wash.

Someone will mistakenly take a shower with yoghurt and then tweet about it, triggering yet another online conversation about if branding has gotten worse over the years or if people are just foolish.

13) People will figure out exactly one year late too late that Starz released a new season of Spartacus in December 2025.

I think it’s hilarious that the tagline for every season has been some variation of “Return to the arena”.

14) During the hottest months of the year (January, February, March, and April), whatever company handling electricity where you live will find some bullshit reason for there to not be power.

It’ll either be a repair they could’ve done at any point in the last year but have decided to do now and will last three months for some reason.

15) Due to the growing popularity of raves, more Nigerian party organisers will start putting 鈥渞ave鈥� in their titles.

Shine your eye so you don’t end up at a “rave” with tables and a hypeman.

16) The Real Housewives of Lagos cast will get a shakeup.

Diadem won’t return because she’s too sweet for this reality show life. Caroline won’t return because she’s too insane for this reality show life. Chioma might return. Mariam and Laura will return in Avengers Doomsday.

17) Beyonce will release Act III and to everyone’s dismay, it won’t be a rock album.

It’ll be a gospel album. Turns out she heard all of you confidently yapping about the rock album and decided to pivot. Yes, not only is the rock album not coming, it’s your fault.

18) Beyonce WILL release a rock album, and it will feature composer extraordinaire, Stanley Okorie.

Forget what I said in the entry before this. I was a different man back then. The album鈥檚 opening track will be a duet, with them recording a new version of the official theme song from Karishika. Here’s the original so you get a taste of how perfect this is going to be:

19) Instagram is going to wait till you’re used to where everything currently is then shuffle things again.

Instagram’s internal design team just be doing anything to justify keeping their jobs.

20) Young, Famous, and African will return for a fourth season. So will Queen Annie Macaulay.

Let’s be honest. Annie has carried this show on her back with drama for three season. And because the producers are messy as hell (as they should be), they’re going to try to get 2Face and Honourable Natasha on the show somehow. Queen Khanyi Mbau, if you’re reading this, please return to us. We miss you.