Aliu Gafar (Esusu) makes Best Supporting Actor category as 2025 AMVCA nominees list drops

Aliu Gafar (Esusu) has been nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category at the 2025 AMVCA Awards, celebrating his standout role

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he 2025 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) has revealed its highly anticipated list of nominees, and Aliu Gafar, famed for his role in the Netflix hit, Seven Doors, has secured a nomination for Best Supporting Actor category.

Also read: [ICMYI]FULL LIST: AMVCA 2024 nominations

This recognition places him amongst the most talented actors in the Nigerian entertainment industry.

Gafar’s portrayal of a complex character. Esusu, has earned him widespread praise, and his nomination is a testament to the depth of his performance.

The actor’s unique ability to bring nuance and authenticity to his role has resonated with both critics and audiences, cementing his place as one of the top contenders for the prestigious award.

The 2025 AMVCA nominations were announced on March 23, 2025, and feature an exciting range of talent across various categories.

As one of the most significant events in the African entertainment calendar, the AMVCA is known for recognising exceptional talent in film, television, and other creative fields.

This year’s nominees reflect the evolving landscape of Nigerian entertainment, with a spotlight on emerging talent and established stars alike.

Find the full list of nominees below:

Best Digital Content Creator

Iyo Prosper Adokiye
Maryam Apakagi-Greene
Elozonam Ogbolu, Hoviare Freedom, Chiamaka Uzokwe
Jide Pounds Ibitoye
Ariyiikedimples, Brain Jotter

Best Multichoice Talent Factory Movie

Gone (West Africa)
Everything Light Touches (West Africa)
The Immersive Alarm (East Africa)
Deadbeat (East Africa)
Mwananga (Southern Africa)
Rivals in Time (Southern Africa)

Best Unscripted M-Net Original

Nigerian Idol
Pastor Wants A Wife (Zambia)
Overall Best
Husband Material
The Queens of Kopala

Best Scripted M-Net Original

Uriri
All Mine
My Fairytale Wedding
Italo
The Caller
Kam U Stay

Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa)

Seven Doors
Lisabi: The Uprising
Kaka
Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
Mai Martaba

Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa)

The Caller
Makosa Di Tangu
Sabotage
Wa Milele? (Forever?)

Best Indigenous Language Film (South Africa)

Walvis Tale
The Vow
Mwizukanji
Man of Gold
Lukas

Best Indigenous M-Net Original

Mai Shayi
The Caller
Show Me The Way
Ebighi Ebi
Subterranea
Onye Agbata Obim
Amoanimaa’s Era

Best Short Film

Sukari Brukaci
What Are You Truly Afraid Of?
In Bloom: ‘Afefe’
The Incredible Sensational Fiancee of Seyi Ajayi

Best Supporting Actress

Meg Otanwa – Inside Life
Tina Mba – Suspicion
Ireti Doyle – All’s Fair in Love
Ini Dima-Okojie – Skeleton Coast
Mercy Aigbe – Farmer’s Bride
Omoni Oboli – The Uprising: Wives on Strike 3
Darasimi Nnadi – Aburo

Best Supporting Actor

Gabriel Afolayan – Inside Life
Adedayo Adebowale Macaroni – Lisabi: The Uprising
Aliu Gafar – Seven Doors
Femi Jacobs – Freedom Way
Richard Mofe-Damijo – Christmas In Lagos
Uzor Arukwe – Suspicion
Mike Afolarin – House of Ga’a
Efa Iwara – Princess on a Hill

Best Lead Actress

Chioma Chukwuka – Seven Doors
GbugbemI Ejeye – Farmer’s Bride
Uzoamaka Onuoha – Agemo
Uche Montana – Thinline
Uzoamaka Aniunoh – Phoenix Fury
Hilda Dokudo – The Uprising: Wives On Strike 3
Bimbo Ademoye – Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre

Best Lead Actor

Gideon Okeke – Tokunbo
Bucci Franklin – The Weekend
Femi Branch – House of Ga’a
Thapelo Makoena – Skeleton Coast
Bimbo Manuel – Princess On A Hill
Stan Nze – Suspicion
Femi Adebayo – Seven Doors
Adedimeji Lateef – Lisabi: The Uprising

Best Editing

Inkabi
Christmas In Lagos
Skeleton Coast
Soft Love
Lisabi: The Uprising
Princess On A Hill

Best Cinematography

Yen Ara Asaase Ni (This Is Our Land)
Inkabi
The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos
Skeleton Coast
Soft Love
Lisabi: The Uprising
Agemo

Best Sound/Sound Design

Inkabi
Seven Doors
Freedom Way
Lisabi: The Uprising
Ajakaju: Beast Of Two Worlds
Suspicion

Best Score/Music

Inkabi
Freedom Way
Seven Doors
Soft Love
Skeleton Coast

Best Art Direction

Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
Christmas In Lagos
Farmer’s Bride
Seven Doors
The Man Died
Lisabi: The Uprising

Best Costume Design

Toyin Ogundeji – Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
Bolanle Austen- Peters, Yolanda Okereke, Juliana Dede, Gloria Oyu – House Of Ga’a
Oluwatoyin Balogun, Oyeade Adeimpe Adedimeji – Lisabi: The Uprising
Opeyemi Sogeke – Phoenix Fury
Adedamola Adeyemi – Christmas In Lagos

Best Makeup

Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
Lisabi: The Uprising
Seven Doors
Farmer’s Bride
Clarence Peters’ Inside Life
Suspicion

Best Writing TV Series

Untying Kantai
Tuki?
Roses & Ivy
Cheta’M
Seven Doors
Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
Princess On A Hill

Best Writing in a Movie

The Weekend
Skeleton Coast
Freedom Way
Phoenix Fury
A Ghetto Love Story
House of Ga’a
Christmas In Lagos

Best Documentary

Walvis Tale
Dundun
O.Y.O (On Your Own)
Women of Salt: The Resilience of Ebonyi’s Women
I Will Remember You

Best Scripted Series

Clarence Peters’ Inside Life
Seven Doors
Princess On A Hill
Cheta’M
Roses & Ivy

Best Unscripted Series

Style Magnate
Skillers The Builders Show)
Ebuka Turns Up Africa
Wa Milele? (Forever?)
Uzoamaka Tries Palmwine

Best Director

Robert O Peters – Skeleton Coast
Norman Maake – Inkabi
Bolanle Austen-Peters – House of Ga’a
Awam Amkpa – The Man Died
Daniel Emeka Oriahi – The Weekend
Femi Adebayo, Adebayo Tijani, Tope Adebayo – Seven Doors

Best Movie

Lisabi: The Uprising
Skeleton Coast
Suspicion
Inkabi
House of Ga’a
Freedom Way
Christmas in Lagos
Farmer’s Bride

Quadri Olaitan