I Was Wrong”: Nollywood Actress Lilian Afegbai Apologises for Disrespectful Outburst Over 2026 AMVCA Nomination Snub

 

Nollywood actress and producer Lilian Afegbai, popularly known as Lily Afe, has issued a public apology to the organisers of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) following her heated social media outburst after she was overlooked in the nominations for the 12th edition of the awards.

On March 31, shortly after the 2026 AMVCA nominee list was released, Afegbai took to X (formerly Twitter) to express deep disappointment over her exclusion from the Best Supporting Actress category. She highlighted her critically acclaimed performance as Idia in the Netflix crime thriller series To Kill A Monkey (directed by Kemi Adetiba), noting that her character was one of the most talked-about from the project. Her reaction escalated with the now-viral remark: “You guys can eat your award. AMVCA SMH.”

The post sparked widespread reactions online, with many praising her bold stance while others criticised it as unprofessional.

In a reflective post shared on her X page on Saturday, April 4, Afegbai acknowledged that her earlier statement crossed the line. She wrote:

“This apology should have come earlier. That tweet should not have happened. No excuse.

It was disrespectful to AMVCA, the nominees, my To Kill A Monkey family, and all of you who have supported me. Honestly, I was disappointed. But that’s not an excuse for how I responded.

I’ve come a long way in my journey, and for a long time I felt invisible. I reacted from a place of hurt and entitlement. I was wrong.”

The actress emphasised that her outburst was not justified, even amid personal feelings of disappointment after years of hard work in the industry.

The development comes amid ongoing conversations in Nollywood about award recognitions, visibility for actors, and the emotional toll of consistent snubs despite strong performances. Afegbai’s role as Idia in To Kill A Monkey earned praise for its authenticity, particularly her delivery in Pidgin English and the character’s cultural resonance.

As of now, neither the AMVCA organisers nor representatives from To Kill A Monkey have issued an official response to the apology.

Fans and industry observers have described the apology as mature and overdue, with some commending Afegbai for taking accountability while others continue to debate the merits of her initial frustration.