The glamour and spotlight of African cinema converged once again at the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Eko Hotels & Suites, where industry stars, filmmakers, and entertainers gathered to celebrate excellence in storytelling across the continent.

Among the notable corporate supporters of this year’s edition was MTN Nigeria, which reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing African storytelling and empowering emerging creative talent through targeted sponsorships and youth-focused initiatives within the entertainment ecosystem.

One of the most talked-about highlights of the night was MTN Nigeria’s sponsorship of the Best Short Film category, a segment dedicated to recognising rising filmmakers whose work reflects the evolving voice of African cinema. The category has increasingly become a launchpad for young creatives seeking recognition on a continental stage.

The award was presented by MTN Nigeria’s General Manager, Enterprise Sales, Febisola Oyeleye, alongside actor Jide Oyegbile, in a moment that underscored the growing collaboration between corporate organisations and the creative industry.

This year’s winning entry, Hussaini, produced by filmmakers Orire Nwani and Josh Olaoluwa, stood out for its storytelling strength and emotional depth, ultimately earning both the AMVCA recognition and a ₦5 million cash prize sponsored by MTN Nigeria.

Receiving the award, the filmmakers expressed both relief and ambition after multiple nominations in the category. “This is our last nomination in this category, and I’m excited we finally have it,” one of them said. “Next year, we are coming for Best Feature Film.”

Speaking during the presentation of the cash prize, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Marketing Officer, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, reiterated the company’s long-term commitment to youth empowerment and creative industry development. “At MTN, one of the things that we are so committed to is youth empowerment. We believe that the youth of Nigeria are actually the future of the country. When we see young people being productive and coming out tops in what they do, it speaks to their commitment and ability to move beyond boundaries,” she said.

She further explained that MTN’s support extends beyond sponsorships, noting that initiatives such as the short film category are part of a broader strategy to create platforms where emerging talent can be discovered, nurtured, and rewarded for excellence.

Beyond the awards ceremony itself, MTN Nigeria’s presence at AMVCA week included youth-focused programmes such as Young Filmmakers Day and the #MTNFilmChallenge, both designed to encourage authentic African storytelling and provide practical opportunities for young creatives to showcase their work in film and digital media.

Through these sustained investments, MTN Nigeria continues to position itself not just as a telecoms provider, but as a strategic partner in shaping the future of Africa’s entertainment industry—one story, one filmmaker, and one platform at a time.