Ibrahim Chatta, the Nollywood actor, has revealed why he has never been nominated for the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) — despite his decades-long career in the industry.
In a recent interview on the ‘Curiosity Made Me Ask‘ podcast, the 54-year-old thespian admitted that he has never been considered for the prestigious awards ceremony, but not because of a lack of merit.
Chatta said his non-involvement with the AMVCA is by choice, explaining that he has never submitted any of his works for consideration.
The actor emphasised that validation for his craft doesn’t solely come from the AMVCA. He also listed prestigious honours he has received over the years.
I am not interested. Why should I be praying for something I am not interested in? Whenever I am interested in going for AMVCA, I will make a film and submit it, so that I can be rated. So that they can check if I deserve the award or not. But I have not given them any film to nominate me for, he said.
But I ask myself, why have I not been invited, when I see younger people? Maybe some people think, because I am not a social person, they think if we invite him, he will not come.
Apart from that, how many awards are sitting in my house? Award from great people. Nelson Mandela Award. The 41 million youths in northern Nigeria came to my village in Oyo to award me. I got an award with Professor Wole Soyinka – The Pink Award. Odunlade Adekola, a sensible person, awarded some people and has us too. We have awards, but we do not post them.
I have not lost AMVCA. You do not lose what you do not have.
The 2025 AMVCA took place last Sunday at Lagos’ Eko Hotel and Suites, with major wins for Seven Doors stars Chioma Akpotha (Best Lead Actress) and Femi Adebayo (Best Lead Actor).
