Sola Sobowale, Kanayo win Nollywood Industry Merit Award at AMVCA 2026

Arts & Entertainment

LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — Two veteran Nollywood icons, Sola Sobowale and Kanayo O. Kanayo, have been honoured with the Nollywood Industry Merit Award at the 2026 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), held yesterday at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos.

According to the organisers, the recognition celebrates their decades of groundbreaking contributions to Nigerian cinema and their enduring influence as screen legends whose performances continue to inspire actors, producers, and audiences across Africa.

Sobowale, visibly emotional, expressed gratitude to God, her children, colleagues, and fans for sustaining her career. “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… Thank you all for making me still relevant. I love you all,” she said.

Kanayo, on the other hand, dedicated his award to film practitioners across Africa, recognising their roles in fostering unity and cultural pride on the continent.

Sobowale’s career highlights include King of Boys (2018), King of Boys: The Return of the King (2021), The Wedding Party (2016), The Wedding Party 2 (2017), Diamond Ring (1998), and the upcoming SLUTTER-HOUSE (written and produced by Uloko Ibe). These works cemented her reputation as one of Nollywood’s most versatile and powerful actresses.

Kanayo, affectionately known as “Nnanyi Sacrifice”, has featured in some of Nollywood’s most defining productions, including Living in Bondage (1992), Blood Money (1997), Billionaires Club (2003), October 1 (2014), and Lionheart (2018). His career reflects Nollywood’s evolution from early occult thrillers to globally acclaimed dramas.

The AMVCA 2026 ceremony reaffirmed their legacies, celebrating Sobowale and Kanayo not only as actors but as cultural ambassadors whose artistry continues to shape Nollywood’s global identity as one of the movie-making and entertainment capitals of the world.