Uganda’s Slum Bomber and Kenya’s One Woman, One Bra lead the 22nd Africa Movie Academy Awards nominations with 14 nods each, while Nigeria’s To Adaego With Love follows with 11.
The Africa Film Academy, organisers of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), announced the nominees on Saturday, October 17, during a livestream on the awards’ official YouTube channel.
Nigerian cinema has a strong presence on the list, with To Adaego With Love, directed by Nwamaka Chikezie, emerging as the country’s most-nominated film with 11 nominations.
Set in 1975, in the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War, To Adaego With Love tells the story of a forbidden romance between Major Balarabe Alkali, a Northern Nigerian soldier on a mission of reconciliation, and Adaego, an Igbo schoolteacher from the war-affected Eastern region. As their relationship develops, the pair must navigate the lingering divisions of the war, alongside family loyalties, cultural traditions and the challenges of bringing people together in a fractured nation. Directed by Nwamaka Chikezie and written by Brenda Ogbukaa-Garuba, the historical romance explores love, reconciliation and the difficult process of national healing.
The Herd, directed by Daniel Etim-Effiong, follows with 10 nominations, while Niyi Akinmolayan’s Colours of Fire secured nine, placing the three Nigerian productions among the leading contenders.
Daniel Etim-Effiong also earned individual recognition, receiving nominations for Best Director, Best Debut Feature and Best Actor in a Leading Role for his work on The Herd. Other Nigerian actors nominated across categories include :
Faithia Balogun – Efunroye (Best actress in a leading role)
Osas Ighodaro – Colours of Fire (Best actress in a leading role)
Toyin Abraham – Oversabi Auntie (Best actress in a leading role)
Omowunmi Dada – Evi (Best actress in a supporting role)
Uzor Arukwe – Colours of Fire (Best actor in a leading role)
Wale Ojo – Light Out (Best actor in a leading role)
Beyond Nigeria, the nominations reflect a broad range of African film industries, with productions from Uganda, Kenya, South Africa and Côte d’Ivoire among the leading contenders.
The 22nd edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards is scheduled to hold on November 15, 2026, at the Lagos Marriott Hotel in Lagos, where winners across the various categories will be announced. The ceremony will bring together filmmakers, actors and other industry professionals to celebrate achievements in African cinema.
