As the 2025 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) approach, all eyes are on the Best Supporting Actor category, where a powerhouse lineup of performances is set to ignite debate and admiration across the continent.
From historical epics to gritty modern dramas, these nominees have not only supported—they’ve stood out, elevating their films and series with unforgettable portrayals.
Here’s a look at the standout contenders vying for the Best Supporting Actor category at the AMVCA.
Gabriel Afolayan – Inside Life
Gabriel Afolayan delivers a chilling and unforgettable performance as Alaga in the Netflix series Inside Life, leaving audiences gripped from the very first episode. In this intense six-part drama, masterfully directed by Clarence Peters, Afolayan steps into the role of one of the community’s most feared figures — and it’s easy to see why.
With a haunting facial scar that hints at a past marked by violence or tragedy, Alaga’s presence is both commanding and unsettling. Though his time on screen is brief, appearing only in Episode 1, Afolayan makes a powerful impact. His character’s tense clash with Meg Otanwa’s Simbi ends in fatal consequences, marking a shocking turning point that sets the tone for the rest of the series.
Even in death, Alaga’s shadow looms large — a testament to Afolayan’s ability to leave a lasting impression with just one episode.
Adebowale “Mr Macaroni” Adedayo – Lisabi: The Uprising
Most famous for his humorous and entertaining comic skits, Adebowale “Mr Macaroni” Adedayo provides a startling and revealing performance as Oshokenu in the film ‘Lisabi: The Uprising’.
This fascinating 18th-century historical epic relates the intense story of the Egba people’s brave resistance against the dominant Oyo Empire. Within this sprawling saga, Oshokenu’s quest is the emotional heart and soul of the story, inviting viewers to become deeply invested in the characters’ struggles and triumphs.
Early on, Oshokenu had been unfairly labelled lazy and unmotivated by those who knew him. That was until he saw a horrific act of violence, which served as a wake-up call, compelling him to rise and fight back, going on to become a powerful symbol of resistance against oppression. His doomed mission comes to a head in a searing final confrontation, where he valiantly eliminates ten of his tormentors before ultimately succumbing to the pressure.
Aliu Gafar – Seven Doors
In the captivating production that is Seven Doors, Aliu Gafar delivers a breathtaking performance as the villain Esusu, who is presented as having a complex character that sees him nearly gain sympathy from the audience. This captivating Netflix drama incorporates aspects of fantasy and politics and unfolds against the backdrop of the mystical Ilara Kingdom. Seven Doors is centred around the midst of the mayhem within this tale, with Gafar’s character Esusu, a banished prince, dramatically returning to regain his lost throne.
In contrast to type, Gafar embraced the character’s darkness, bringing to it betrayal, ambition, and anger. His acting is terrifying and captivating.
Femi Jacobs – Freedom Way
Femi Jacobs performs with full gravity and nuance in his role as Officer Ajayi, a police officer who is faced with some serious moral choices in the movie ‘Freedom Way’.
The action takes place against the complicated and often disturbing background of a Lagos that is full of corruption, where the realities of existence are harsh and demanding. This movie is based on the lives of three tech entrepreneurs as they try to find their way through the dangerous waters of a seriously flawed and broken system.
Jacobs, a long-time favourite for his infinitely elegant performances, provides a richly textured and multidimensional performance of a man who earnestly wants to do the right thing, but gets embroiled in a complex web of moral compromise.
As film audiences root with passion for the tough beginnings of EasyGo, it is the turmoil within Ajayi that lends gravity and visceral tension to every single scene, making it all the more involving and compelling.
Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) – Christmas in Lagos
RMD returns with a highly awaited performance in Christmas in Lagos, delivering once more all the charisma and grace that over the years have made him the Nollywood icon that he is.
Playing Chief Dozie, a billionaire trying to revive an old romance with the character acted by Shaffy Bello, Gbemi, RMD brings alive a performance that is sophisticated, intensely emotional, and completely riveting for viewers.
While the romantic comedy shines and shimmers with an infectious festive season sparkle that truly captures the season’s spirit, it is really RMD’s sensitive exploration of longing and emotional maturity that genuinely gives the movie its deeper essence.
The screen chemistry he establishes with Bello, as well as his subtle yet effective one-upmanship against Wale Ojo’s character, helps make what could have been a mundane holiday story something heartfelt and sentimental in its probe of the phenomenon of second chances in life and love.
Uzor Arukwe – Suspicion
In the gripping supernatural thriller entitled ‘Suspicion’, the talented actor Uzor Arukwe plays Rogba—a heartbroken and devastated father who is faced with the world-shattering truth of his beloved daughter’s abduction.
What starts out as a poignant tale of a parent’s overwhelming anguish and grief quickly turns into a sophisticated exploration of African mysticism, as well as a stern moral reckoning that challenges the very essence of right and wrong.
Although there were a few detractors who criticised the construction of his character arc somewhat, it is apparent that Arukwe’s emotional depth truly shines through in his performance. His performance of a man slowly losing his grip but tenaciously clinging to hope in a world where the concepts of justice and revenge are highly intertwined adds a rich sense of heart to the otherwise creepy tone of the film.
Mike Afolarin – House of Ga’a
Mike Afolarin narrates a dynasty’s downfall as Oyemekun in ‘House of Ga’a’, one of the most talked-about historical dramas on Netflix. As the youngest son of a tyrant, Oyemekun is witness and victim, allowing audiences a close-up view of his father’s reign of terror.
Afolarin’s performance is subtle, introspective, and mature for his years. He doesn’t recite the story—he lives it. Through his eyes, we see legacy, power, and rebellion crash against each other in dramatic fashion.
Efa Iwara – Princess on a Hill
Efa Iwara enters the corporate battlefield of high stakes in his portrayal of the character Ozzy in the intriguing tale of ‘Princess on a Hill’. In this dramatic setting of boardroom betrayals and complex games of power, it is Ozzy’s steadfast, calm integrity and superior strategic brilliance that ultimately put him in the position of the unlikely hero of this gripping tale.
In the complex world of Nigerian business, Iwara stands out with his quiet but strong confidence. With a mix of charm and strong values, Ozzy becomes someone people not only admire but truly root for, turning him into a source of inspiration.
The AMVCAs will be broadcast live on May 10, 2025.
