Veteran Nigerian actors Sola Sobowale and Kanayo O. Kanayo have been honoured with the prestigious Industry Merit Award at the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), in recognition of their decades-long contributions to the Nigerian film industry and African cinema.
The duo received their awards on Saturday night, May 9, 2026, during a glittering ceremony held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos. The Industry Merit Award celebrates their remarkable careers as two of Nollywood’s most influential and celebrated screen icons
In her acceptance speech, Sola Sobowale expressed deep gratitude to God, the organisers, her colleagues, fans, and family, particularly her children, for their unwavering support throughout her journey.
“I want to specially thank God Almighty for keeping me till this day to have this. I thank my children. Thank you to all my colleagues. I thank my fans because without you ‘Ko si Shola’ (there’s no Shola). It truly is an honour. Thank you all for making me still relevant. Mi o ti de (Expect more from me). I love you all,” she said.
Kanayo O. Kanayo, in his acceptance speech, dedicated the award to film practitioners across Africa. He highlighted the sacrifices of industry veterans and praised the entertainment sector’s role in fostering unity on the continent. He also used the platform to strongly condemn xenophobic attacks in South Africa, calling on Africans to lend their voices against the violence.
The AMVCA continues to serve as one of Africa’s premier platforms for celebrating excellence in film, television, and digital content across the continent.