Nse Ikpe-Etim becomes first Nigerian to win AMAA best lead actress after four years

After four years, movie diva Nse Ikpe-Etim has become the first Nigerian to win the Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) for best actress in a leading role.

The occasion was held at the Balmoral Convention Centre in Ikeja, Lagos, on Sunday. Actors, directors, and other professionals from the film industry gathered under one roof to honour the finest of African cinema at the awards event.

Nse won for her role in Izu Ojukwu’s 4-4-44, making her the first Nigerian actress to win the best actress category after Sola Sobowale won for King of Boys in 2019.

In 2022, Osas Ighadaro and Eniola Akinbo aka Nyiola were the only two Nigerians who got a nomination for best actress for their roles in Man of God and Swallow respectively, they, however, lost to Tanzanian actress Ikhlas Gafur Vora who won for Tug of War.

In 2021, Funke Akindele and Rita Dominic’s hopes were dashed at the 17th edition of the awards after they lost to Ugandan’s Joan Agaba who won for the film Stain.

Funke was nominated for Omo Ghetto: The Saga while Rita Domnic bagged a nomination for La Femme Anjola.