Lilian Afegbai has openly criticized the organisers of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards following her omission from the 2026 nomination list.

The actress expressed her frustration shortly after nominees for the 12th edition were announced, which included her co-star Bimbo Akintola receiving a nod for Best Lead Actress for their project, To Kill A Monkey.

Afegbai, who played the character Idia in the series, argued that her performance was widely recognized by audiences and stood out as one of the most talked-about roles of the year. Taking to her X (formerly Twitter) account, she maintained that her impact went beyond awards, insisting that she does not rely on nominations for validation.

In a blunt reaction, she suggested that the organisers could “eat” their award, emphasizing her belief that her work spoke for itself regardless of official recognition.

Her comments have since sparked mixed reactions online, with some fans supporting her stance while others defended the award process, noting that nominations are often subjective and competitive.

💭 Opinion: Recognition vs Relevance in Nollywood

Lilian Afegbai’s reaction taps into a long-standing debate in the entertainment industry—do awards truly reflect the best performances, or just selective recognition?

On one hand, her frustration is understandable. In an era driven by audience engagement and social media buzz, actors often measure impact not just by critics’ opinions but by how much their roles resonate with viewers. If her character truly dominated conversations, it’s natural to expect that recognition would follow.

However, awards like the AMVCA are rarely based on popularity alone. They involve panels, criteria, and sometimes industry politics that don’t always align with public perception. This gap between audience opinion and official recognition is where controversies like this often arise.

That said, Afegbai’s bold response also raises an important point about self-worth in creative industries. While awards can elevate careers, they shouldn’t define them. Many great performances have gone unrecognized, yet still left lasting impressions.

In the end, this moment reflects both the passion of artists and the imperfections of award systems. Whether one agrees with her or not, Afegbai has reignited an important conversation: what truly defines excellence—trophies or impact?