As the countdown to the 11th AMVCA heats up, the spotlight isn’t just on the red carpet, but also on the unforgettable performances that brought African stories to life this past year. From epic historical dramas to suspenseful thrillers, the nominees for Best Lead Actor and Best Lead Actress at #AMVCA2025 reflect the powerful range and emotional depth of African cinema right now.
Here are the actors and actresses who left everything on screen:
Best Lead Actor Nominees
- Gideon Okeke – Tokunbo
As a reformed car smuggler trying to stay clean while fighting to save his sick child, Gideon channels urgency and desperation into a raw performance. His character, Tokunbo, is constantly in motion — a man trying to do right in a world that won’t let him.
- Bucci Franklin – The Weekend
Franklin plays Luke, a man forced to face old wounds when his fiancée pushes for a reunion with his estranged family. The emotional push-and-pull between love and personal history makes for a performance full of restraint and inner turmoil.
- Femi Branch – House of Ga’a
Femi Branch disappears into the role of Bashorun Ga’a — a power-hungry warrior who bends tradition and morality to his will. His portrayal of tyranny, legacy, and vengeance is chillingly regal, rooted in real historical tension.
- Thapelo Mokoena – Skeleton Coast
Set against Namibia’s mysterious coastline, Thapelo plays Lorato, a scientist unraveling a dangerous mystery. It’s a quiet yet intense role that explores grief, survival, and the power of secrets buried in the sand.
- Bimbo Manuel – Princess On A Hill
As the manipulative CEO Moyosore Lawson, Bimbo Manuel captures how power can turn coercive. His cold charisma and dominance over a vulnerable employee make this one of his most psychologically layered performances.
- Stan Nze – Suspicion
Nze plays Voke, a man gifted with supernatural powers trying to live quietly until he’s forced to defend his loved ones. His performance balances vulnerability and ferocity, especially as Voke unravels his own dark inheritance.
- Femi Adebayo – Seven Doors
As Adedunjoye, a man asked to rule a kingdom bound by ancient curses, Adebayo plays a reluctant leader torn between love and tradition. His inner conflict deepens a performance that blends romance with political drama.
- Adedimeji Lateef – Lisabi: The Uprising
Lateef steps into history with his portrayal of Lisabi, the 18th-century Egba hero who led a revolt against oppression. As both lead actor and executive producer, he brings passion and precision to a story of resistance and cultural pride.
Best Lead Actress Nominees
- Chioma Akpotha – Seven Doors
As Queen Amaka, Chioma stands at the crossroads of love and legacy. Her performance shows a woman trying to hold onto her marriage while navigating the pressure of ancient traditions demanding polygamy.
- Gbugbemi Ejeye – Farmer’s Bride
Ejeye brings quiet heartbreak to her role as Funmi, a woman trapped in a loveless marriage who reaches for connection in all the wrong places. The result is a performance that burns slowly — until it explodes.
- Uche Montana – Thin Line
Playing Annie, a woman blackmailing a pastor, Uche balances control and chaos. As secrets unravel and murder enters the picture, she delivers a performance that keeps the audience guessing about her true motives.
- Uzoamaka Aniunoh – The Weekend
In a different kind of role, Aniunoh plays Nikya, a woman searching for belonging in her fiancé’s broken family. Her performance is both delicate and bold, revealing layers of vulnerability as she faces haunting truths.
- Hilda Dokubo – The Uprising: Wives On Strike 3
Dokubo’s portrayal of Ebiere — a grieving mother seeking justice — is a standout. She transforms loss into fury, capturing a mother’s unstoppable drive to fight back against violence and silence.
- Bimbo Ademoye – Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
Returning as Queen Arolake, Bimbo delivers a fiery, emotional performance. Her character, betrayed by love and warped by power, is a woman caught between her past pain and the pull of revenge.
- Uzoamaka Onuoha – Agemo
Onuoha plays Agatha, a woman who survives a cursed festival where other women vanish. Her slow unraveling of the truth — and the eerie price she pays — makes for a performance steeped in mystery and fear.
What makes this year’s AMVCA 2025 lineup special is the range — from fantasy thrillers to historical uprisings, from subtle emotional dramas to political power plays. As Gideon Okeke put it, Tokunbo’s story was about “a guy going through it.” But that sentiment applies to almost every character here — and maybe that’s why we can’t stop watching. Whether you’re rooting for a household name or a rising star, one thing is clear: this year’s #AMVCA Best Lead Actor and Best Lead Actress races are going to be quite exciting.
