Nollywood actress and producer Lilian Afegbai has issued a formal apology following her recent social media backlash directed at the organisers of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA).
The apology, shared via her social media accounts on Saturday morning, comes in the wake of public criticism sparked by her omission from the 12th edition of the prestigious awards. Afegbai had expressed frustration after her name was absent from the Best Supporting Actress category, despite her acclaimed portrayal of Idia in the Netflix crime series, To Kill A Monkey.
In her statement, Afegbai acknowledged that her initial reaction—which included a tweet telling the organisers they could “eat” their award—was driven by hurt and disappointment.
“This apology should have come earlier. That tweet should not have happened. No excuse. It was disrespectful to AMVCA, the nominees, my To Kill A Monkey family, and all of you who have supported me,” she wrote.
She explained that her outburst stemmed from the personal significance of her role in the Kemi Adetiba-directed series, describing it as a “now they see me” moment in a career where she had long felt overlooked.
“When I wasn’t nominated, I reacted from a place of hurt and entitlement, and it was out of character for me. I was wrong, and I am sorry,” she added, closing with a heartfelt plea to her fans: “I no go fall una hand again.”
The controversy began on March 29, 2026, shortly after the AMVCA nomination list was released. Afegbai took to X (formerly Twitter) to express frustration that her performance, widely praised by audiences for its sassy delivery and mastery of the Bini dialect and pidgin English, had not been recognised. Her blunt posts quickly went viral, sparking mixed reactions from fans and industry peers alike.
Despite the backlash, Afegbai’s career trajectory remains impressive. A former Big Brother Africa contestant, she has successfully transitioned from reality television to serious acting and film production. In 2018, she won her own AMVCA trophy for Best Indigenous Movie (Igbo) for her production debut, Bound. Her portfolio also includes notable roles in Road to Yesterday and Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons.
Industry observers note that while her social media reaction was seen by some as unprofessional, it underscored the intense pressure and high emotional stakes African creatives attach to the AMVCAs, regarded as the continent’s premier film honour.
As of now, the AMVCA organisers have not released a public response to Afegbai’s apology.