Shortly after the ceremony ended, social media platforms were flooded with reactions from fans, questioning how some of the industry’s biggest names went home empty-handed despite strong performances and commercially successful projects.
One of the most talked-about snubs of the night was actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele, whose blockbuster project ‘Behind The Scenes’ failed to secure a major win.
Many movie lovers had predicted the film would dominate key categories after its impressive box office success and widespread popularity.
key Highlights
- The 2026 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards 2026 sparked major online debate after several popular Nollywood stars and films failed to win big despite strong expectations.
- Funke Akindele became one of the biggest talking points after her film Behind The Scenes missed out on major awards, including her loss in the Best Supporting Actress category.
- Toyin Abraham also left the ceremony without a headline award, disappointing many fans who expected her to secure a major win.
- Yul Edochie trended online after fans questioned his absence from both major nominations and the winners’ list, with actress Sarah Martins publicly defending him.
- While My Father’s Shadow emerged as one of the night’s biggest winners, critics and fans argued that some commercially successful and audience-favorite films were overlooked, reigniting conversations about the AMVCA voting and judging process
Fans were particularly surprised after Funke lost the Best Supporting Actress category, with many insisting her performance deserved recognition.
The outcome immediately triggered heated conversations across X and Instagram, with supporters describing the result as one of the biggest surprises of the night.
Despite generating strong buzz throughout the awards season, the actress failed to clinch a headline award, leaving many of her supporters disappointed.
The rivalry narrative surrounding Funke and Toyin even became part of the ceremony after hosts Bovi Ugboma and Nomzamo Mbatha recreated the actresses’ viral “snub” moment on stage, drawing laughter and mixed reactions from viewers.
Actor Yul Edochie also became a trending topic after some fans questioned why he was completely absent from the winners’ list and major nominations despite his long-standing presence in Nollywood.
Actress Sarah Martins publicly defended the actor online, arguing that his contributions to the movie industry deserved greater recognition.
Meanwhile, actress Lilian Afegbai resurfaced in the conversation after her earlier complaints about being excluded from the nominations list. Some fans maintained that her performance in ‘To Kill A Monkey’ merited a nomination in the supporting actress category.
Although ‘My Father’s Shadow’ emerged as one of the night’s biggest winners, some viewers argued that other films with stronger commercial success and audience engagement were overlooked in major categories.
Despite the backlash, many industry observers noted that the AMVCA selection process combines jury decisions with audience voting, making the outcome unpredictable every year.
As reactions continue to pour in online, the 2026 AMVCA has once again proven that award season in Nollywood is never short of controversy.
Shortly after the ceremony ended, social media platforms were flooded with reactions from fans, questioning how some of the industry’s biggest names went home empty-handed despite strong performances and commercially successful projects.
One of the most talked-about snubs of the night was actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele, whose blockbuster project ‘Behind The Scenes’ failed to secure a major win.
Many movie lovers had predicted the film would dominate key categories after its impressive box office success and widespread popularity.
key Highlights
- The 2026 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards 2026 sparked major online debate after several popular Nollywood stars and films failed to win big despite strong expectations.
- Funke Akindele became one of the biggest talking points after her film Behind The Scenes missed out on major awards, including her loss in the Best Supporting Actress category.
- Toyin Abraham also left the ceremony without a headline award, disappointing many fans who expected her to secure a major win.
- Yul Edochie trended online after fans questioned his absence from both major nominations and the winners’ list, with actress Sarah Martins publicly defending him.
- While My Father’s Shadow emerged as one of the night’s biggest winners, critics and fans argued that some commercially successful and audience-favorite films were overlooked, reigniting conversations about the AMVCA voting and judging process
Fans were particularly surprised after Funke lost the Best Supporting Actress category, with many insisting her performance deserved recognition.
The outcome immediately triggered heated conversations across X and Instagram, with supporters describing the result as one of the biggest surprises of the night.
Despite generating strong buzz throughout the awards season, the actress failed to clinch a headline award, leaving many of her supporters disappointed.
The rivalry narrative surrounding Funke and Toyin even became part of the ceremony after hosts Bovi Ugboma and Nomzamo Mbatha recreated the actresses’ viral “snub” moment on stage, drawing laughter and mixed reactions from viewers.
Actor Yul Edochie also became a trending topic after some fans questioned why he was completely absent from the winners’ list and major nominations despite his long-standing presence in Nollywood.
Actress Sarah Martins publicly defended the actor online, arguing that his contributions to the movie industry deserved greater recognition.
Meanwhile, actress Lilian Afegbai resurfaced in the conversation after her earlier complaints about being excluded from the nominations list. Some fans maintained that her performance in ‘To Kill A Monkey’ merited a nomination in the supporting actress category.
Although ‘My Father’s Shadow’ emerged as one of the night’s biggest winners, some viewers argued that other films with stronger commercial success and audience engagement were overlooked in major categories.
Despite the backlash, many industry observers noted that the AMVCA selection process combines jury decisions with audience voting, making the outcome unpredictable every year.
As reactions continue to pour in online, the 2026 AMVCA has once again proven that award season in Nollywood is never short of controversy.



