AMVCA 12 Shock: Funke Akindele’s ₦2 Billion Blockbuster Snubbed as Linda Ejiofor Sweeps Major Awards

LAGOS, NIGERIA – The 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) has left fans in a state of disbelief. In one of the night's most talked-about moments, Nollywood powerhouse Funke Akindele walked away without a trophy, despite her record-breaking film 'Behind the Scenes' dominating both the box office and social media trends throughout the year.

The Snub Heard Round the Industry

Despite grossing over ₦2 billion and receiving four major nominations, Funke Akindele lost the Best Supporting Actress category to her colleague, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman. While Akindele’s portrayal of Adetutu Fernandez was the heavy favorite in online polls, the AMVCA jury—led by the legendary Joke Silva—favored Ejiofor’s gritty performance in the satirical drama 'The Herd'.

Tomorrows Best notes that this wasn't Linda Ejiofor's only victory; she made history by securing a rare "double win," taking home both Best Supporting Actress and Best Lead Actress for her role in 'The Serpent’s Gift'.

AMVCA 2026 Acting Category Results

The competition was fierce, with veteran stars and rising talents clashing for the industry's most coveted plaques. Here is how the major acting categories settled:

Category	Winner	Movie Title
Best Supporting Actress	Linda Ejiofor	The Herd
Best Supporting Actor	Bucci Franklin	To Kill A Monkey
Best Lead Actor	Uzor Arukwe	Colours Of Fire
Best Lead Actress	Linda Ejiofor	The Serpent’s Gift

Deeper Than the Box Office

While 'Behind the Scenes' focused on the relatable theme of "black tax" and family responsibility, the winning film 'The Herd' took a darker, satirical look at insecurity and kidnapping in Nigeria. Linda Ejiofor’s performance as the wife of a kidnapped man (played by Daniel Etim-Effiong) was praised for its emotional depth, proving that the AMVCA jury often prioritizes thematic intensity over commercial success.

The "Monkey" Magic

In the Best Supporting Actor category, Bucci Franklin took home the award for his role as ‘Oboz’ in Kemi Adetiba’s 'To Kill A Monkey'. His emotional acceptance speech moved the audience as he edged out tough competition from Femi Adebayo, Lateef Adedimeji, and Uzor Arukwe.

Blogger’s Tip: This year's AMVCA proved that streaming numbers matter! While 'The Herd' had a modest cinema run, its massive viewership on streaming platforms helped build the momentum needed to catch the jury’s eye.

Did Funke Akindele get robbed, or was Linda Ejiofor simply unbeatable?
Drop your take in the comments! — Tomorrows Best Team