Nollywood’s annual celebration of filmmaking has entered another important stage, bringing together actors, actresses, directors and production teams whose works have earned recognition across the Nigerian film industry. The 2026 Best of Nollywood Awards nominations have opened the door to another competitive edition, with familiar faces returning to the awards conversation alongside emerging talents making their presence felt across different categories.
The November 1, 2026 announcement covers several aspects of the industry, from performances on screen to the creative and technical contributions behind film production. Established entertainers, promising actors, child performers and filmmakers feature in the nominations, while productions across different genres and languages are represented. With Enugu State set to host the ceremony, attention now turns to the complete list of nominees and the categories in which they will be competing.
Love & New Notes leads with 9 nominations
Timini Egbuson’s Love & New Notes has emerged as the most nominated production at the 2026 Best of Nollywood Awards, securing 9 nominations across acting, directing and technical categories. The romantic production features prominently in the Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Kiss, Best Soundtrack, Best Screenplay, Best Editing and Best Cinematography categories, among other recognitions.
Timini Egbuson receives a Best Actor nomination for his performance in the film, while Eniola Badmus is listed in the Best Supporting Actress category. The production also earns recognition in the Best Kiss category through the pairing of Timini Egbuson and Sophie Alakija, while Kayode Kasum receives a Director of the Year nomination for his work on the movie.
Its position at the top of the nominations makes the production one of the major contenders ahead of the ceremony in Enugu State. The recognition also places Egbuson among the actors attracting attention across multiple categories, particularly because he features in another Best Kiss nomination for Ajosepo 2: The Gathering.
The Herd follows with 8 nominations
Daniel Etim Effiong’s The Herd occupies second place with 8 nominations, earning recognition in several major categories, including Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Social Message, Best Screenplay, Best Use of Makeup, Director of the Year and Movie of the Year.
The film’s nominations also include Abba Ali Zaky in the Best Supporting Actor category and Linda Ejiofor Suleiman in the Best Supporting Actress category. Effiong himself receives a Director of the Year nomination, giving the production a presence in both its creative and acting departments.
The Best Social Message nomination further places The Herd among productions recognised for their storytelling beyond conventional entertainment. Its inclusion in the Movie of the Year category also puts it in competition with Love & New Notes, The Creek, Aba Blues, Efunroye: The Unicorn and 3 Cold Dishes.
6 films secure 7 nominations each
Four other productions join the leading contenders with 7 nominations apiece, namely The Creek, Aba Blues, Colours of Fire and Efunroye: The Unicorn. Their recognition across different categories demonstrates the competition among films released during the awards’ eligibility period.
The Creek features Bucci Franklin in the Best Actor category, Kelechi Udegbe in Best Supporting Actor and Toka McBaror in Director of the Year. It also receives nominations for Best Screenplay, Best Special Effects, Best Cinematography and Movie of the Year.
Aba Blues secures recognition through Jide Kene Achufusi in the Best Actor category, Prince Nelson Enwerem in Best Supporting Actor and Angel Anosike in Most Promising Actress. Its other nominations include Best Kiss, Best Indigenous, Best Cinematography and Movie of the Year.
Colours of Fire features Osas Ighodaro in Best Actress and Uzor Arukwe in Best Actor. It also receives nominations for Best Costume, Best Soundtrack, Best Use of Food, Best Production Design and Best Special Effects.
Efunroye: The Unicorn earns nominations in Best Indigenous, Best Sound, Best Soundtrack, Best Production Design, Best Use of Makeup, Director of the Year and Movie of the Year. Bayo Tijani and Abbey Lanre are listed together in the directing category for the production.
Other films with multiple nominations
The nominations extend beyond the 6 leading productions, with several other films securing recognition across acting and technical categories.
3 Cold Dishes receives 6 nominations, including Best Actor for Wale Ojo, Best Social Message, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Director of the Year and Movie of the Year.
Behind the Scenes secures 5 nominations, featuring Scarlet Gomez in Best Actress and Destiny Etiko in Best Supporting Actress. Its other nominations are Best Costume, Best Sound and Best Cinematography.
Agesinkole (King of Thieves) 2 also receives 5 nominations, covering Best Indigenous, Best Costume, Best Production Design, Best Special Effects and Best Cinematography.
These productions add to the competition across the different categories, with their nominations extending from individual performances to the technical work involved in producing Nigerian films.
Best Actor nominees
The Best Actor category features 6 nominees whose performances have earned recognition in different productions.
* Bucci Franklin – The Creek
* Kanayo O. Kanayo – Grandpa Must Obey
* Jide Kene Achufusi – Aba Blues
* Timini Egbuson – Love & New Notes
* Uzor Arukwe – Colours of Fire
* Wale Ojo – 3 Cold Dishes
Timini Egbuson’s nomination comes alongside the 9 nominations secured by his production, while Jide Kene Achufusi and Uzor Arukwe also represent films competing across several categories.
Kanayo O. Kanayo’s inclusion brings one of Nollywood’s established screen performers into the competition, while Bucci Franklin, Wale Ojo and Achufusi complete the list.
Best Actress nominees
The Best Actress category contains 6 entries, with Osas Ighodaro appearing twice for 2 different productions.
* Scarlet Gomez – Behind the Scenes
* Osas Ighodaro – Colours of Fire
* Mercy Aigbe – Everything Is New Again
* Sharon Ooja – Ordinary People
* Nse Ikpe Etim – Devil Is a Liar
* Osas Ighodaro – 3 Cold Dishes
Ighodaro’s double nomination makes her one of the notable names in this year’s acting categories, as she competes for recognition through both Colours of Fire and 3 Cold Dishes.
Mercy Aigbe, Sharon Ooja, Scarlet Gomez and Nse Ikpe Etim also feature in the category, representing different productions and performances.
Best Supporting Actor nominees
The Best Supporting Actor category brings together 7 performers from different Nollywood productions.
* Akeem Ogara – Aisiki
* Mike Ezuruonye – Fehintola
* Kelechi Udegbe – The Creek
* Jide Awobona – Ile
* Prince Nelson Enwerem – Aba Blues
* Abba Ali Zaky – The Herd
* Ibrahim Suleiman – Evi
Prince Nelson Enwerem’s nomination is particularly notable because of his background in reality television before his involvement in film productions. His recognition for Aba Blues places him alongside established actors such as Mike Ezuruonye and Ibrahim Suleiman.
Abba Ali Zaky also earns recognition for The Herd, one of the most nominated productions, while Kelechi Udegbe represents The Creek.
Best Supporting Actress nominees
The category features 6 actresses whose performances have earned nominations across different productions.
* Eniola Badmus – Love & New Notes
* Destiny Etiko – Behind the Scenes
* Damilola Oni – Aisiki
* Nancy Isime – Everything Is New Again
* Linda Ejiofor Suleiman – The Herd
* Bisola Aiyeola – Gingerrr
Eniola Badmus and Linda Ejiofor Suleiman represent 2 of the leading productions in this year’s nominations, while Destiny Etiko and Nancy Isime also secure recognition for their respective performances.
Best Kiss nominees
The Best Kiss category features 5 on screen pairings from different Nigerian productions.
* Vine Olugu and Mercy Aigbe – Everything Is New Again
* Timini Egbuson and Bolaji Ogunmola – Ajosepo 2: The Gathering
* Timini Egbuson and Sophie Alakija – Love & New Notes
* Michael Dappa and Princess Obuseh – Day and Night
* Jide Kene Achufusi and Angel Anosike – Aba Blues
Timini Egbuson appears twice in this category, earning recognition for his performances alongside Bolaji Ogunmola and Sophie Alakija. Vine Olugu and Mercy Aigbe, as well as Jide Kene Achufusi and Angel Anosike, complete some of the other pairings competing for the award.
Social message, short film categories
The Best Social Message category recognises 6 productions.
* Wrong Mum
* 3 Cold Dishes
* The Herd
* Oversabi Aunty
* Deja’s Scream
* Evi
The Best Short Film category also features 6 nominees, covering different stories and filmmaking approaches.
* Boys Don’t Sing
* The 9th
* Colony Red 2030
* Dear Ella
* Sweat and Blood
* Cut & Sew – ÌWÈMỌ́
These categories extend the awards beyond mainstream feature films, providing recognition for productions competing in shorter formats and films addressing social themes.
Best Indigenous category
The Best Indigenous category features 6 productions.
* Agesinkole (King of Thieves) 2
* Efunroye: The Unicorn
* King Lotanna
* Ile
* Isipo
* Olorisa
The category brings together films whose storytelling and cultural settings contribute to the diversity of Nigerian filmmaking. Productions such as Agesinkole (King of Thieves) 2 and Efunroye: The Unicorn also feature in other major technical categories.
Best Child Actor nominees
5 young performers feature in the Best Child Actor category.
* Royal Aziomaku – Alechenu
* Daniel Adeshina – Irin Ajo
* Fiyin Asenuga – Grandpa Must Obey
* Nnamani Chibuike Wisdom – The 9th
* Tonye Tam Azorbo – Ek(e)mini
Their nominations bring attention to child performers whose contributions have earned recognition alongside the work of adult actors in the industry.
Best Child Actress nominees
The Best Child Actress category features 6 nominees.
* Fisayo ‘Abebi’ Amodemaja – Irin Ajo
* Michelle Onamade – Kikiore
* Marcella Aipoh – Dear Ella
* Iremide Adeshina – Iye
* Okorie Emmanuella – The Hole Within
* Future Lolo Lamai – Love in Every Cell
The category also features productions such as Irin Ajo and Dear Ella, which appear in other nominations, including the short film category.
Most Promising Actor nominees
The Most Promising Actor category recognises 5 performers.
* Michael Dappa – Day and Night
* Vine Olugu – Everything Is New Again
* Emmanuel Nse – Half-Light
* Abba Ali Zaky – The Herd
* Oluwafemi Odugbesan – Olorisa
Abba Ali Zaky features in both the Most Promising Actor and Best Supporting Actor categories for The Herd, giving him 2 nominations across the acting sections.
Most Promising Actress nominees
The female equivalent features 5 nominees.
* Angel Anosike – Aba Blues
* Sharon Rotimi – The Hole Within
* Tomike Adeoye – Okanjuwa
* Chisom Agoawuike – Half-Light
* Lizzy Jay – Si Olorun (A Letter to God)
Angel Anosike also features in the Best Kiss category alongside Jide Kene Achufusi for Aba Blues, giving her recognition in 2 categories.
Technical categories recognise production contributions
The 2026 BON Awards nominations also recognise the technical teams responsible for the different stages of filmmaking, with categories covering costume, sound, soundtrack, food presentation, production design, makeup, special effects, editing and cinematography.
Best Costume
* A Very Dirty Christmas
* Fehintola
* Agesinkole (King of Thieves) 2
* Aisiki
* Behind the Scenes
* Colours of Fire
Best Sound
* Okanjuwa
* The Covenant
* Efunroye: The Unicorn
* Oversabi Aunty
* Behind the Scenes
* Idia
Best Soundtrack
* Si Olorun (A Letter to God)
* Ara Ile
* Love & New Notes
* Efunroye: The Unicorn
* Colours of Fire
* Evi
Best Use of Food
* Gingerrr
* Colours of Fire
* Ajosepo 2: The Gathering
* Okanjuwa
* Ìrètè: The Reckoning
Best Production Design
* Agesinkole (King of Thieves) 2
* Colours of Fire
* Ìrètè: The Reckoning
* Ile
* Olorisa
* Efunroye: The Unicorn
Best Use of Makeup
* The Herd
* Efunroye: The Unicorn
* Olorisa
* Ìrètè: The Reckoning
* A Very Dirty Christmas
Movie with the Best Special Effects
* The Creek
* The Beacon Man
* Colours of Fire
* Ìrètè: The Reckoning
* Agesinkole (King of Thieves) 2
* Idia
Best Editing
* Love & New Notes
* Idia
* A Very Dirty Christmas
* Okanjuwa
* The Beacon Man
* Grandpa Must Obey
Best Cinematography
* Behind the Scenes
* Aba Blues
* Agesinkole (King of Thieves) 2
* Ajosepo 2: The Gathering
* Love & New Notes
* The Creek
These categories highlight the different creative departments involved in bringing films to audiences, from the appearance of costumes and sets to sound recording, visual effects and the final editing process.
Best Screenplay nominees
The Best Screenplay category features 6 productions.
* The Herd
* The Creek
* 3 Cold Dishes
* The Covenant
* Love & New Notes
* Si Olorun (A Letter to God)
The nominations bring together films that also feature in other major categories, including Movie of the Year and technical awards. The Herd and Love & New Notes continue their strong presence through their screenplay nominations.
Director of the Year nominees
6 directing nominees have been announced for the 2026 edition.
* Toka McBaror – The Creek
* Jack’Enneth Opukeme – Aba Blues
* Kayode Kasum – Love & New Notes
* Bayo Tijani and Abbey Lanre – Efunroye: The Unicorn
* Asurf Oluseyi – 3 Cold Dishes
* Daniel Etim Effiong – The Herd
Daniel Etim Effiong’s nomination for The Herd comes as the film secures 8 nominations overall, while Kayode Kasum represents the production leading the entire list. Bayo Tijani and Abbey Lanre receive joint recognition for their work on Efunroye: The Unicorn.
Movie of the Year nominees
The most prominent film category features 6 productions.
* The Creek
* Aba Blues
* Love & New Notes
* Efunroye: The Unicorn
* 3 Cold Dishes
* The Herd
All 6 films have also earned multiple nominations in other categories, making the final competition particularly significant for the productions that have performed strongly across the published list.
Best Documentary, Best Series categories
The documentary category features 2 productions.
* Marked
* The Rhythm of Ancestors: Yoruba Bata
The Best Series category also has 3 nominees.
* Scratch
* The Covenant
* Ordinary People
Their inclusion expands the awards beyond feature length films, recognising documentary storytelling and television productions as part of the Nigerian screen industry.
Enugu State prepares to host the 2026 ceremony
The 2026 Best of Nollywood Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Enugu State, following the announcement of the nominees on November 1, 2026. The host location places the state at the centre of this year’s awards activities, with the nominated actors, filmmakers and production teams awaiting the final presentation of the honours.
With Love & New Notes leading on 9 nominations and The Herd following with 8, the competition features a mixture of established Nollywood personalities, emerging performers and productions recognised across several creative departments. Osas Ighodaro’s 2 Best Actress entries, Timini Egbuson’s appearances across acting and Best Kiss, and Prince Nelson Enwerem’s supporting actor nomination are among the notable individual developments.
The full list also demonstrates the range of the 2026 edition, with 28 categories covering feature films, indigenous productions, short films, documentaries, television series, child performers and technical achievements. The final ceremony in Enugu State will determine which of the nominated actors, actresses, directors and productions leave with the awards.
