PHOTO NEWS: Sobowale, Kanayo receive Industry Merit Awards at 2026 AMVCA
Veteran Nigerian actors Sola Sobowale and Kanayo O. Kanayo have been honoured with the Industry Merit Award at the 2026 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA).
The awards were presented on Saturday night at the 12th edition of the ceremony held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, in recognition of their decades-long contributions to the growth of Nollywood.
The organisers said the award celebrates their enduring influence, professionalism and status as some of the industry’s most respected screen icons.
While receiving her award, Sola Sobowale expressed gratitude to God, the organisers, her colleagues and fans, adding that her family played a key role in supporting her career.
“I want to specially thank God Almighty for keeping me till this day to have this. I thank my children. I thank all my colleagues. I thank my fans because without you, there is no Sola,” she said.
On his part, Kanayo O. Kanayo used his acceptance speech to speak against xenophobic attacks in South Africa, calling for better treatment of Africans across the continent.
The Industry Merit Award is one of the special honours at the AMVCA, reserved for veterans whose work has significantly shaped the Nigerian film industry.
