Encomium
On Friday, May 8, 2026, Lagos came alive with colour, music, fashion, and pure entertainment as celebrities, filmmakers, creatives, and culture enthusiasts gathered for the Cultural Day celebration of the 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA).
From the moment guests stepped onto the red carpet, the event transformed into a breathtaking celebration of Nigerian identity and creativity, with richly embroidered agbadas, beaded masterpieces, cultural performances, nonstop music, and endless servings of food and drinks creating an atmosphere that was both glamorous and deeply rooted in tradition.
Celebrities arrived dressed in stunning traditional ensembles that paid tribute to different parts of the country, transforming the venue into a living gallery of Nigerian heritage. From regal aso-oke statements to richly beaded masterpieces, the night was a reminder that Nigerians do not just wear fashion, they perform it.
Stars including Uche Jombo, Mike Ezuruonye, Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Rachel Okonkwo, Bolaji Ogunmola, Eniola Ajao, Kamo State, Imisioluwa Ayanwale, Scarlet Gomez, and Liquorose were among the distinguished personalities who brought glamour, energy, and star power to the evening.
Beyond the glitz and celebrity moments, MTN Nigeria continued to reinforce its commitment to African storytelling and creative excellence throughout the AMVCA week.
Just a day before Cultural Day, during the AMVCA Icons Night held on Thursday, May 7, MTN Nigeria honoured four legendary figures in Nollywood with cash prizes of ₦5 million each alongside plaques recognising their excellence and contribution to the industry. The legends recognised include Nkem Owoh, Afeez Oyetoro, Patience Ozokwo, and Joke Silva, a moment that drew applause from guests and further reinforced MTN’s commitment to celebrating the pioneers shaping Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
At the Cultural Day celebration, one of the standout moments of the evening came when spoken word artist IBQuake delivered a moving performance inspired by MTN’s “See Naija” campaign video. Through poetry, rhythm, and emotion, the performance painted a vivid picture of Nigeria’s beauty, resilience, complexity, and spirit, earning loud cheers from the audience.
Speaking during the event, the Senior Manager, Sponsorships and Alliances at MTN Nigeria, Kate Daniels, reflected on the importance of celebrating Nigerian identity through storytelling and culture.
According to her, MTN’s “See Naija” project was created to encourage Nigerians to proudly tell their own stories from their own perspectives.
She explained that as part of the initiative, filmmakers were invited to create short films capturing the energy, beauty, and realities of Nigeria, with selected winners receiving grants to bring their stories to life. “For 25 years, MTN has remained deeply connected to Nigeria, its people, and its culture. And if there’s one thing those years have shown us, it is that Nigerian identity does not need protecting; it needs celebrating,” she said.
She added that while Nigeria’s struggles are real, so are its victories, strengths, creativity, and audacity. “We are resilient people, but beyond resilience, we are audacious. We create, we adapt, and we keep going,” she said. The statement resonated strongly with the atmosphere of the night, one filled with pride, confidence, music, dance, laughter, endless conversations, and nonstop entertainment.
From cultural performances to celebrity interactions, premium hospitality, endless servings of Nigerian cuisine and drinks, and electrifying moments across the venue, the AMVCA Cultural Day once again proved why it remains one of the most anticipated events of the entertainment calendar.
And as guests danced late into the evening dressed in colours, beads, lace, velvet, and richly woven fabrics, one thing became unmistakably clear: Nigerian culture is not just alive, it is thriving boldly on a global stage.
