• The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards is switching things up for its 12th edition, with Bovi Ugboma and Nomzamo Mbatha announced as co hosts.

• This marks the end of IK Osakioduwa’s 11 year run as the face of the awards, having hosted every edition since 2013.

• The event is set for May 9, 2026, at Eko Hotel and Suites.

• Veteran actress Joke Silva will serve as head judge.

• On nominations, Gingerrr and The Herd lead with nine each, followed by To Kill A Monkey with eight, and My Father’s Shadow with seven.

After more than a decade of one familiar voice guiding the continent’s biggest film night, the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards is ready to breathe differently.

This year, the stage belongs to two forces from opposite ends of the industry spectrum, Bovi Ugboma and Nomzamo Mbatha. And with that announcement comes the end of an era led by IK Osakioduwa, the man who has been the steady pulse of the show since 2013.

The 12th edition is set for May 9, 2026, at the iconic Eko Hotel and Suites, and for the first time in eleven years, the voice introducing the night will not be IK’s.

Let’s be honest, for many people, AMVCA and IK almost felt like one sentence. His delivery, his timing, the way he held tension in the room before announcing winners, it became part of the show’s DNA.

So this transition is not small. It is the biggest presentation shift the awards have seen since it first launched. But change, when done right, doesn’t erase legacy, it builds on it.

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Enter Bovi, Energy, Chaos, Precision

If you’ve ever watched Bovi live, then you already know what this means. He doesn’t just host, he performs. There is rhythm in his delivery, controlled chaos in his humour, and a kind of confidence that keeps an audience locked in.

He understands timing, not just for jokes, but for moments.

And he knows the weight of this one.

“The AMVCA stage is one of the biggest in Africa, and I don’t take that lightly. I want to bring the energy, the laughs, and the magic that this night deserves.”

That statement alone tells you the tone is about to change. Expect less predictability, more personality.

Nomzamo Mbatha Brings Global Presence and Depth

Then there is Nomzamo, and her inclusion changes the texture of the night entirely.

Coming 2 America introduced her to a global audience, but her current run as Queen Nandi in Shaka iLembe shows her range, power, and command on screen. Beyond acting, her work as a humanitarian adds a layer of purpose that goes beyond performance.

She is not just there to co-host, she represents a broader African narrative, one that blends storytelling with impact.

The organisers described the pairing as a fusion of wit and global influence, a balance between entertainment and meaning. And honestly, that balance is exactly what AMVCA has been growing into.

The Stakes Are Higher This Year

Behind the glamour, the competition is tight.

Gingerrr and The Herd are leading with nine nominations each, stretching across acting, directing, and technical categories. To Kill A Monkey follows closely with eight, while My Father’s Shadow, from the Davies brothers, holds seven.

That spread tells a deeper story. The industry is no longer leaning on a few dominant voices, it is expanding, experimenting, and competing at a higher level.