After eleven consecutive editions under the same host, the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards is changing the face of its stage.

The organisers have announced Nigerian comedian and actor Bovi Ugboma and South African actress Nomzamo Mbatha as co-hosts for the 12th edition, scheduled for May 9, 2026, at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, bringing to a close IK Osakioduwa’s unbroken run as the face of the ceremony since its debut in 2013.

Osakioduwa has been a fixture of the AMVCA since the awards launched, hosting every edition across more than a decade. His departure from the role marks the most significant change to the ceremony’s presentation since its inception.

In his place steps Bovi, one of Nigeria’s most recognised stand-up comedians, known for his sharp wit, storytelling, and stage command. Joining him is Nomzamo Mbatha, whose profile extends well beyond the screen. The actress, producer, and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador gained international recognition through her role in Coming 2 America and currently stars as Queen Nandi in the acclaimed epic drama series Shaka iLembe, for which she also serves as Executive Producer.

The organisers described the pairing as “a master of wit and narrative, and a global icon of screen and advocacy,” promising a night where “mastery meets African excellence.” Bovi, speaking on his appointment, made clear he understands the significance of the occasion.

“The AMVCA stage is one of the biggest in Africa, and I don’t take that lightly,” he said. “I want to bring the energy, the laughs, and the magic that this night deserves. African storytelling is at an all-time high, and it’s an honour to be the one holding the mic while we celebrate the best of it.”

Veteran actress Joke Silva has been named head judge for the 12th edition.On the nominations front, Gingerrr and The Herd lead the pack with nine nods each across acting, directing, and technical categories. To Kill A Monkey follows with eight nominations, while My Father’s Shadow, from the Davies brothers, earned seven across various categories.

Afrobeats hitmaker Adekunle Gold marked his wife Simi’s 38th birthday on April 19 with a surprise gift of a brand new Mercedes-Benz GLE and a diamond ring, in a moment that has since circulated widely across social media.

A video shared by Adekunle Gold on his Instagram page captured the moment the award-winning singer Simi walked out to find the luxury vehicle, visibly overcome with emotion, before embracing her husband. The clip spread rapidly online, drawing warm reactions from fans and fellow entertainers.

The gesture comes at a particularly eventful period for the couple. Just days after welcoming their second child in March, Adekunle Gold had made headlines for acquiring two new Mercedes-Benz vehicles, which he named “Taye” and “Kehinde”, the Yoruba terms for twins.
The birthday gift to Simi follows in that vein, reflecting what has been a notably celebratory season for the household.

Simi, for her part, had taken to social media earlier in the day to mark the occasion independently. In a post, she described the past year as “a pretty big, long, heavy, blessed year,” expressing gratitude for her faith and the people closest to her. The surprise that followed appeared to be entirely unscripted.

This is not the first time Adekunle Gold has made a public gesture of this nature on his wife’s birthday. On her 35th birthday in April 2023, he presented her with a multimillion naira customised diamond necklace bearing her name, a moment that similarly trended online. The pattern has come to define how the couple marks the date each year.

Their relationship has been a fixture of public interest since they first came to prominence as a couple. The two began dating in 2014, maintained a private relationship for five years, and married on January 9, 2019.

They celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary in January 2026 and welcomed their second child the following March. Despite sustained public attention and periodic online speculation about their relationship, the couple has remained a consistent presence in each other’s lives and work.

Veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has stirred up a conversation the industry has been quietly avoiding for years. The award-winning actor and lawyer recently proposed that the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) implement a policy mandating lifetime royalty payments for all Nigerian actors and actresses featured in films uploaded to streaming platforms.

He also called for a dedicated agency to oversee and enforce compliance nationwide, arguing it would ensure performers earn from their craft long after the cameras stop rolling. The timing of the proposal is telling. Stories of financial ruin among once-beloved Nigerian actors have become alarmingly common.

Last month, veteran actor Abiodun Ayoyinka, widely known as Papa Ajasco, spoke openly about his financial struggles despite decades in the industry.

Two years prior, Hanks Anuku made headlines with public pleas for financial assistance after falling on hard times post-Nollywood.

Patience Ozokwor recently put it bluntly: “The reason why Nollywood actors and actresses are poor is that we don’t get royalties for what we do, we only get paid for our appearance at the shoot.” Her words, along with the others, show a consistent pattern of demand.

The proposal has drawn mixed reactions from industry figures. Writer-director Jadesola Osiberu responded with sarcasm, suggesting that if actors want royalties, perhaps they should also contribute to covering a producer’s losses proportional to their screen time, a dig at the one-sided nature of the demand.

Producer and actress Bolaji Ogunmola was more direct: if actors want backend earnings, they should negotiate equity stakes and invest in projects upfront rather than seek guaranteed payouts after the fact.

It’s a fair challenge. The music industry comparison many have reached for doesn’t quite hold up here.

In more structured film industries, residuals are tied to carefully negotiated distribution contracts and enforced by unions, organisations built over decades with legal infrastructure and industry-wide buy-in.