The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) has officially announced a major shake-up ahead of its 12th edition, naming Nigerian comedian and actor Bovi Ugboma and South African actress Nomzamo Mbatha as co-hosts for the 2026 ceremony.
This announcement marks the end of IK Osakioduwa’s prominent 11-year run as the primary host, a role he held since the awards’ debut in 2013.
The 12th edition of the awards is scheduled to be held on May 9, 2026, at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, marking one of the most significant presentation changes in the history of the event.
Bovi, widely known for his comedy and storytelling style, described the opportunity as a major honour, noting the scale and importance of the platform.
“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.”
His co-host, Nomzamo Mbatha, is an actress, producer, and UNHCR goodwill ambassador.
She is internationally recognised for her performance in Coming 2 America and her lead role in the epic series Shaka iLembe, where she also serves as executive producer.
Additionally, veteran actress Joke Silva has been named head judge for this year’s edition.
The AMVCA had, in March, also unveiled its nominees for this year.
Leading the pack are ‘Gingerrr’ and ‘The Herd,’ both scoring nine nods each and in major categories including acting, directing, and technical craft.
‘To Kill A Monkey’ follows closely with eight nominations, while the Davies brothers’ My Father’s Shadow earned seven nods across various categories.
