Veteran Nollywood actor Ibrahim Chatta has finally addressed the long-standing question: why has he never received a nomination for the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA)? The answer, according to him, is simple — by choice.
In a candid conversation on the Curiosity Made Me Ask podcast, the 54-year-old actor revealed that despite a career spanning decades, his name has never appeared on the AMVCA nomination list — not due to oversight or lack of talent, but because he has never submitted any of his work for consideration.
“I am not interested. Why should I be praying for something I am not interested in?” Chatta stated plainly. “Whenever I am interested in going for AMVCA, I will make a film and submit it to be rated… But I have not given them any film to nominate me for.”
The respected actor also reflected on why he may not have received even an invitation to the awards, speculating that his low social profile may be a factor. “Maybe some people think, because I am not a social person, they think if we invite him, he will not come,” he said.
While some actors see the AMVCA as a career milestone, Chatta made it clear that his sense of achievement doesn’t hinge on a single ceremony. He proudly listed other notable recognitions he’s received over the years, including the Nelson Mandela Award, The Pink Award alongside Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, and a youth award presented in his hometown by 41 million youths from northern Nigeria.
“Odunlade Adekola, a sensible person, awarded some people and has us too. We have awards, but we do not post them,” he added. “I have not lost AMVCA. You do not lose what you do not have.”
The 2025 edition of the AMVCA was held last Sunday at Lagos’ Eko Hotel and Suites, where Chioma Akpotha and Femi Adebayo took home the top acting honors for their roles in Seven Doors.
