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  • “I Should Be Opening Gates For Them” – Ibrahim Chatta Reacts To ‘Underrated Actor’ Claims

    Popular Nollywood actor Ibrahim Chatta has dismissed claims that he is underrated in the Nigerian movie industry, saying he believes he has achieved more than he ever imagined despite his educational background.

    The actor made the revelation during a recent interview with Akin Abolade, where he opened up about his struggles with formal education and his journey in Nollywood.

    “I Don’t Even Have O-Level”

    According to Chatta, he never completed formal education and does not possess an O-level certificate.

    The actor stated that when he compares himself to some of his colleagues, he feels grateful rather than cheated by the industry.

    “If we are to judge by formal education, I think I, Ibrahim Chatta, should be opening gates for people like Femi Adebayo and Odunlade Adekola because I didn’t go to school. In fact, I don’t even have O-level,” he said.

    Rejects ‘Underrated’ Label

    Chatta explained that he often feels uncomfortable whenever people describe him as underrated because he sees his career success as a product of grace and hard work.

    He added that he never expected to attain his current level of success in the entertainment industry.

    “So I am always annoyed when people say I am underrated. I think I don’t even deserve all what I have got, it’s the grace of God that I am enjoying and I am not taking it for granted,” he stated.

    Actor Appreciates Fans’ Support

    The Nollywood star, however, acknowledged that many fans use the word out of admiration for his talent and contribution to the Yoruba movie industry.

    He further revealed that several educated professionals, including professors and graduates, now study and engage with his work, something he described as a blessing.

    “I have so many employees that are graduates, professors using my work, so why should I be tagged underrated? Though I know it’s the love some of my fans have towards me that makes them say such,” he added.

  • “I Became A Woeful Husband” — Jim Iyke Opens Up on Marriage Crash

    Jim Iyke has opened up about the emotional struggles that led to the end of his marriage, revealing that he lost his spark in life and became completely consumed by fatherhood.

    The Nollywood actor made the emotional disclosure during an interview with Chude Jideonwo, where he reflected on one of the most difficult periods of his personal life.

    “My Wife Suffered For It”

    According to Jim Iyke, he became overly devoted to raising his son and gradually disconnected from his marriage emotionally.

    “I lost my spark, and my wife suffered for it. And then I became an obsessive dad. I gave everything in me to my son. I was a proper stay-at-home dad,” he said.

    The actor admitted that while he became a responsible and present father, he failed as a husband during the process.

    “She Couldn’t Find The Man She Married”

    Jim Iyke revealed that his wife eventually complained that he was no longer the same person she married.

    “I became an excellent father but a woeful husband. After a while, she said, ‘I can’t find the man I married anymore,’” he stated.

    The actor explained that he was honest with her about his emotional condition and uncertainty about recovery.

    “I told her, ‘I don’t know what it’d take for me to heal and bring myself back. If you want to wait for me, I’d appreciate it. And if you can’t, I would understand,’” he added.

    According to him, his wife eventually decided to leave, and both of them peacefully parted ways as friends.

    Jim Iyke

    Reactions Trail Emotional Confession

    The interview has generated widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians praising the actor for openly discussing emotional struggles, fatherhood and mental health.

    Some social media users described his honesty as rare, while others debated the challenges of balancing marriage, healing and parenting responsibilities.

    One user wrote, “At least he was honest about his struggles and emotion. A real man.”

    Another added, “This is why communication and emotional support are important in marriage.”

  • Full List of Nigerian Nominees for 2026 BET Awards

    Nigerian music stars have once again gained major international recognition after several artists from the country secured nominations for the 2026 BET Awards.

    The nominees for the annual award ceremony were unveiled on Tuesday ahead of the event scheduled to hold on June 28, 2026, in Los Angeles, United States.

    Tems leads Nigerian nominees

    Tems emerged as one of the top Nigerian nominees after securing three nominations across different categories.

    She earned nominations for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, BET Her Award for her song “First,” and Viewers’ Choice Award for “Raindance,” her collaboration with Dave.

    Wizkid, Asake secure group nomination

    Wizkid and Asake received a joint nomination in the Best Group category following their collaborative projects and successful releases.

    The nomination further adds to Wizkid’s long-standing influence on the BET Awards stage over the years.

    Burna Boy earns collaboration nod

    Burna Boy also secured a nomination in the Best Collaboration category for “WGFT,” his feature on Gunna’s track.

    The Grammy-winning singer remains one of Africa’s most successful BET Awards performers and nominees in recent years.

    Nigerian actors also recognised

    Beyond music, Nigerian-born actors also gained recognition in major acting categories.

    Ayo Edebiri and Cynthia Erivo were nominated in the Best Actress category, while Damson Idris earned a nomination for Best Actor.

    Full list of Nigerian nominees

    Best Female R&B/Pop Artist

    • Tems

    Best Group

    • Wizkid & Asake

    Best Collaboration

    • “WGFT” — Gunna ft. Burna Boy

    BET Her Award

    • “First” — Tems

    Best Actress

    • Ayo Edebiri
    • Cynthia Erivo

    Best Actor

    • Damson Idris

    Nigeria’s growing global influence

    Nigerian artists have continued to make strong appearances at the BET Awards over the years, with stars like Davido, 2Baba, D’banj, Ice Prince and Ayra Starr previously receiving nominations and awards.

    The latest nominations further reinforce Nigeria’s growing presence in the global entertainment industry as Afrobeats continues to dominate international music conversations.

  • “We mourn, but we also celebrate” — Yul Edochie breaks silence on Alex Ekubo’s death

    Veteran Nollywood actor Yul Edochie has reacted emotionally to the reported death of fellow actor Alex Ekubo, describing the news as painful and heartbreaking.

    The actor shared his reaction on social media, where he paid tribute to Alex Ekubo while reflecting on his personality, energy and impact within the entertainment industry.

    “A painful exit”

    Yul Edochie described the late actor as a close friend and brother whose presence brought joy to many people around him.

    According to him, Alex Ekubo had a unique personality that lit up every room and made him widely loved both within and outside Nollywood.

    He also described the actor’s passing as a painful exit that was difficult to accept.

    “We mourn and celebrate his life”

    While mourning the reported loss, Yul said the industry must also celebrate the life and legacy Alex Ekubo left behind.

    He described the late actor as a “great soul,” adding that his contributions to entertainment and public life would not be forgotten easily.

    The actor further stated that despite the pain surrounding the development, believers must still submit to the will of God.

    Reactions continue online

    Yul Edochie’s tribute has continued to attract emotional reactions online, with many fans and colleagues sympathising with the late actor’s family and loved ones.

    Since reports of Alex Ekubo’s death surfaced online, several Nollywood stars and fans have continued sharing tributes and emotional messages in his honour.

  • Popular Nollywood Actor Alexx Ekubo Dies At 40 After Alleged Battle With Cancer

    Popular Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo has reportedly passed away at the age of 40 after an alleged battle with stage 4 liver cancer.

    According to reports making rounds online, the actor allegedly died on May 11, 2026, after quietly battling the illness away from the public eye.

    Actor Disappeared From Social Media

    Before reports of his alleged death surfaced, Alexx Ekubo had noticeably disappeared from social media, sparking concerns among fans and followers.

    His last known post online was reportedly made in December 2024, with the actor remaining inactive across his platforms for months.

    The development has triggered emotional reactions online, with many fans expressing shock over the news.

    Fans React Online

    Following the reports, social media users flooded comment sections with tributes and prayers, while others expressed disbelief over the development.

    As of the time of filing this report, no official statement had been released by the actor’s family or representatives regarding the reports.

     

  • AMVCA 2026: Full List of Winners at Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards

    The 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, with My Father’s Shadow emerging as the biggest winner of the night.

    Hosted by Bovi Ugboma and Nomzamo Mbatha, the glamorous event celebrated outstanding achievements in African film, television, and digital entertainment.

    Major Acting Categories

    Best Lead Actor
    Uzor Arukwe – Colours of Fire

    Best Lead Actress
    Linda Ejiofor – The Serpent’s Gift

    Best Supporting Actor
    Bucci Franklin – To Kill A Monkey

    Best Supporting Actress
    Linda Ejiofor – The Herd

    Top Film Awards

    Best Movie
    My Father’s Shadow

    Best Director
    Akinola Davies Jr. – My Father’s Shadow

    Best Writing (Movie)
    Wale Davies – My Father’s Shadow

    Best Writing (TV Series)
    MTV Shuga Mashariki Team

    Technical Categories

    Best Cinematography
    Kabelo Thathe – To Kill A Monkey

    Best Editing
    Daniel Anyiam – To Kill A Monkey

    Best Sound Design
    Pius Fatoke & CJ Mirra – My Father’s Shadow

    Best Music Score
    Duval Timothy & CJ Mirra – My Father’s Shadow

    Best Art Direction
    Ajamolaya Bunmi – Colours of Fire

    Best Costume Design
    Valerie Okeke – Colours of Fire

    Best Makeup
    Hakeem Onilogbo (Hakeem Effect) – Warlord

    Digital, Documentary and Series Awards

    Best Documentary
    Beyond Olympic Glory – Shedrack Salami

    Best Short Film
    Hussainin – Orire Nwani & Josh Olaoluwa

    Best Digital Content Creator
    Leave To Live – Emmanuel Kanaga & Sophia Chisom

    Best Scripted M-Net Original
    The Low Priest

    Best Unscripted M-Net Original
    Nigerian Idol Season 10

    Best Indigenous M-Net Original
    Inimba

    Indigenous Language Film Winners

    West Africa
    Lisabi: A Legend Is Born – Lateef Adedimeji

    East Africa
    Addis Fikir

    South Africa
    Tlhaho Ya Mosadi

    North Africa
    Artal Alhanin: Our Memories

    Central Africa
    Mabanda – Kang Quintus

    Special Recognition Awards

    Trailblazer Award
    Uche Montana

    Industry Merit Awards
    Sola Sobowale
    Kanayo O. Kanayo

    Biggest Winners of the Night

    My Father’s Shadow dominated the ceremony with multiple wins across major and technical categories, while To Kill A Monkey and Colours of Fire also recorded strong performances.

    Linda Ejiofor emerged as one of the standout stars after winning both Best Lead Actress and Best Supporting Actress awards.

    The 2026 edition of the AMVCA once again drew top actors, filmmakers, content creators, and entertainment personalities from across Africa, further cementing the award’s reputation as one of the continent’s biggest entertainment events.

    AMVCA 2026

  • Funke Akindele’s ‘Behind the Scenes’ Leaves AMVCA 2026 Without Award Despite ₦2bn Box Office Run

    Funke Akindele’s blockbuster film Behind the Scenes has become one of the biggest talking points following the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) after the movie failed to secure a single award despite multiple nominations and record-breaking commercial success.

    The film, which dominated Nollywood conversations for months, went into the AMVCA with nominations in several major categories, including Best Movie, Best Director, Best Lead Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Supporting Actor.

    Major Nominations, No Win

    Behind the Scenes starred Scarlet Gomez as a wealthy real estate mogul dealing with family pressure and financial responsibility often described as “black tax.”

    The movie also featured Funke Akindele, Uzor Arukwe, Tobi Bakre, Iyabo Ojo, and several other top actors.

    Despite its strong nomination run, the awards went to other productions during the ceremony held in Lagos on Saturday night.

    Linda Ejiofor emerged as one of the biggest acting winners after clinching Best Lead Actress for The Serpent’s Gift and Best Supporting Actress for The Herd.

    Meanwhile, My Father’s Shadow dominated the night with wins for Best Movie, Best Director, and several technical categories.

    Film Breaks Nollywood Records

    Although the film left the AMVCA empty-handed, Behind the Scenes had already secured its place in Nollywood history through its box office performance.

    Distributed by FilmOne Entertainment, the movie became the first Nollywood production to cross the ₦2 billion mark at the box office.

    Reports also showed that the film generated between ₦2.1 billion and ₦2.7 billion domestically while setting multiple records across Nigeria and diaspora markets.

    The movie reportedly became the fastest West African film to hit ₦1 billion and also emerged as the highest-grossing Nigerian film in Africa, the UK, and Ireland.

    It further recorded the biggest single-day gross in Nollywood history on Boxing Day.

    Debate Over Awards and Commercial Success

    The outcome has since reignited conversations about the gap between commercial success and award recognition in Nollywood.

    While films like My Father’s Shadow gained critical acclaim and dominated jury votes, blockbuster productions such as Behind the Scenes continue driving the industry’s financial growth and cinema culture.

    Funke Akindele, already regarded as one of Nollywood’s biggest commercial filmmakers, has consistently dominated the box office in recent years with projects like A Tribe Called Judah and Everybody Loves Jenifa.

    The film was also recently released on Netflix, further expanding its global reach.

    Mixed Reactions Trail AMVCA Outcome

    Reactions online have remained divided since the awards night, with many fans expressing disappointment over the movie’s shutout despite its cultural impact and commercial dominance.

    Others, however, argued that awards are often based on artistic and technical considerations rather than box office numbers alone.

    As conversations continue after AMVCA 2026, Behind the Scenes remains one of Nollywood’s most commercially successful productions, proving once again that audience acceptance and award recognition do not always go hand in hand.

  • AMVCA 2026: ‘My Father’s Shadow’ Dominates as Uzor Arukwe, Linda Ejiofor Shine Big

    The 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Lagos, with My Father’s Shadow emerging as the biggest winner of the night.

    The award ceremony, hosted by comedian Bovi Ugboma and South African media personality Nomzamo Mbatha at Eko Hotel and Suites, celebrated excellence across African film and television.

    ‘My Father’s Shadow’ Leads the Night

    The movie dominated several major categories, including Best Movie and Best Director, with Akinola Davies Jr. taking home the directing award.

    The film also secured wins for Best Writing (Movie), Best Sound Design, and Best Music Score, cementing its place as the standout production of the night.

    Uzor Arukwe, Linda Ejiofor Win Big

    Actor Uzor Arukwe won the Best Lead Actor award for his performance in Colours of Fire.

    Linda Ejiofor had one of the strongest nights at the awards after clinching both Best Lead Actress for The Serpent’s Gift and Best Supporting Actress for The Herd.

    Bucci Franklin also secured the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in To Kill A Monkey.

    Technical Categories Deliver Surprises

    Several films also dominated the technical categories during the ceremony.

    To Kill A Monkey won Best Editing through Daniel Anyiam, while Colours of Fire secured Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design.

    Hakeem Onilogbo, popularly known as Hakeem Effect, won the Best Makeup category for Warlord.

    Special Recognition Awards Presented

    The organisers also honoured notable figures in the entertainment industry with special recognition awards.

    Actress Uche Montana received the Trailblazer Award, while veteran actors Sola Sobowale and Kanayo O. Kanayo were honoured with the Industry Merit Award for their contributions to African cinema.

    Other Major Winners

    In other categories, Leave To Live by Emmanuel Kanaga and Sophia Chisom won Best Digital Content Creator.

    Nigerian Idol Season 10 emerged as Best Unscripted Series, while Inimba won Best Scripted Series.

    For indigenous language films, Lisabi: A Legend Is Born won in the West African category alongside other regional winners from East, South, North, and Central Africa.

    AMVCA Continues to Shape African Entertainment

    The AMVCA, launched by MultiChoice in 2013, remains one of Africa’s biggest entertainment award platforms, recognising outstanding achievements in film, television, and digital storytelling across the continent.

    This year’s edition also sparked conversations online as fans celebrated surprise wins, emotional speeches, fashion moments, and standout performances from some of Africa’s biggest stars.

  • “I Avoided Love to Stay Focused” — Zubby Michael Opens Up on Career Sacrifice

    Nollywood actor Zubby Michael has opened up about a personal decision that shaped his early journey in the film industry, revealing why he deliberately avoided romantic relationships.

    The actor said the choice was driven by a need to stay focused during his struggling years in Asaba.

    Why he kept his distance

    Speaking candidly, Zubby explained that he feared emotional distractions could derail his progress at a critical stage of his career.

    He noted that relationships often come with pressures that can affect mental focus, especially for someone trying to build a name in a competitive industry.

    “I’ve been scared of women… it can destroy this thing,” he said, referring to his career path.

    Focus over feelings in early years

    According to him, his priority at the time was to establish himself and create stability before introducing any form of emotional commitment.

    He recalled how fully immersing himself in his work helped him grow without distractions that might have slowed him down.

    “Maybe if I had a girlfriend then, I might not be here,” he added.

    “There’s time for everything”

    Zubby stressed that his decision was not rooted in any negative view about women, describing them as “beautiful,” but rather about timing and discipline.

    He said he believed relationships should come at the right phase of life, when one is more stable and ready to handle the responsibilities that come with them.

    Now open to love

    With a more established career and personal achievements, including owning a home, the actor said he is now in a better place to explore relationships.

    “Now I can say okay, let’s see how it goes… there’s time for everything,” he said.

    The revelation has sparked conversations online about career sacrifice, timing, and the balance between personal life and professional growth.

     

  • Toyin Abraham Reacts as Critic Compares Her Movie Views with Uche Montana’s ‘Monica 2’

    Nollywood actress and producer Toyin Abraham has responded after a movie critic compared her latest film performance with Uche Montana’s Monica 2, which recently recorded millions of views on YouTube.

    The comparison sparked debate online over the rapid growth of digital film distribution in Nollywood.

    ‘Monica 2’ hits millions in hours

    Uche Montana’s Monica 2 reportedly crossed over 5 million views within 24 hours of release.

    The movie, which premiered on May 2, 2026, had already gathered over 4.4 million views within its first 15 hours, surpassing the performance of its first installment.

    The numbers drew attention across social media, with many questioning how the milestone was achieved.

    Critic compares with Abraham’s film

    A movie reviewer compared Montana’s figures with Toyin Abraham’s Alakade GenZ, noting differences in viewership timelines.

    The critic pointed out that while Monica 2 hit over 5 million views in a day, Alakade GenZ recorded about 3 million views within a week.

    The comparison raised questions about the authenticity of the view counts.

    Toyin Abraham responds

    Reacting to the discussion, Abraham distanced herself from the controversy.

    “Pls, leave me out of this and let her enjoy her moment and time,” she wrote.

    Her response suggested she preferred not to be drawn into debates surrounding another filmmaker’s success.

    Debate continues online

    The development has sparked wider conversations about YouTube metrics, audience engagement, and transparency in Nollywood’s digital space.

    While some users questioned the figures, others defended Montana, arguing that viral growth is possible with strong audience interest.