By Our Correspondent
National News – Nollywood actress Lilian Afegbai, popularly known as Lily Afe, has publicly criticised the organisers of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards after she was excluded from the Best Supporting Actress nominations for the 2026 edition.
The actress expressed her frustration on Monday via social media shortly after the nominees for the prestigious African film and television awards were announced.
The controversy began on Sunday when the full list of nominees for the 12th edition of the awards was unveiled during an announcement hosted by actor Chimezie Imo.
Lily Afe, who played the character Idia in the widely discussed series To Kill a Monkey directed by filmmaker Kemi Adetiba, was noticeably absent from the Best Supporting Actress category despite her performance gaining significant attention in 2025.
Reacting online, the actress stated that although she believes everything happens for a reason, she felt the recognition was deserved.
According to her, the character she portrayed generated major buzz and engagement across social media platforms throughout the year.
She emphasised that the role resonated strongly with audiences, particularly because of her delivery in Nigerian Pidgin and the emotional depth of the character.
The actress also suggested that the performance stood out among viewers who followed the Netflix original series.
However, she ended her reaction with a blunt remark directed at the organisers of the awards, stating that they could “eat their award,” signalling her disappointment with the nomination process.
The Best Supporting Actress category for the 2026 awards includes several prominent Nollywood figures such as Linda Ejiofor, Bisola Aiyeola, Sola Sobowale, and Funke Akindele, among others.
The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards recognise outstanding achievements in African film and television across multiple categories.
Organisers confirmed that the 2026 ceremony will feature 32 award categories, including jury-decided awards, viewer-voted recognitions, and special honours.
The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on May 9, 2026, and is expected to bring together filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals from across Africa.
