By Yemisi Suleiman
After years of a familiar face steering Africa’s biggest night in film and television, the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards AMVCA enters a bold new chapter.
This year marks a significant shift as the ceremony welcomes new hosts to take over the mantle, ushering in a refreshed energy for one of the continent’s most prestigious entertainment stages.
Stepping into this spotlight are Nigeria’s ace comedian, writer, producer, and actor Bovi Ugboma, alongside South African star actress Nomzamo Mbatha. Together, they embody a powerful continental pairing, blending humour, elegance, and star power across borders.
Their selection signals not just a change in hosting duties, but a renewed vision for the awards, one that celebrates evolution, collaboration, and the ever-growing influence of African storytelling on the global stage.
As May 9, approaches, Allure exclusively reveals the duo. Meet the hosts.
Bovi Ugboma ….. Owning the AMVCA Stage
A natural storyteller with a career spanning comedy, film and production, Bovi steps onto the AMVCA stage as host with wit, ease and a deep understanding of the industry he has helped shape.
You have done a lot, from stand-up comedy to writing, producing, hosting your own show, and now hosting the AMVCAs. How has the transition been for you?
I wouldn’t call it a transition because I started writing, producing and acting all at once. So, it was like a three-in-one approach. The journey has been rough because of the peculiarity of our clients, but it has always been upward. I always say I’ve never really had a better yesterday when it comes to entertainment, business and everything that I have done. So, I’m grateful for that.
What are some of those difficulties you experienced in your career?
It is nothing really different from what every practitioner experiences. It is a capital-intensive type of business, and in as much as there is a ready market for it, there are so many bumps along the way. And to be honest with you, I am grateful for those bumps. Because somehow, they toughen you and make you not just a better entertainer, but a stronger businessman. We are not accessible to friendly loans, most of the loans these days are in double digits. So, thank God for some corporate bodies and individuals who are like, ‘you know what? We are behind you.’
The AMVCA is easily the biggest entertainment platform in Africa, and now you’re at the centre of it. How does it feel to be hosting for the first time?
Hosting the AMVCA is like hosting the Oscars. It’s like hosting the Golden Globes. It’s like hosting the Grammys. It’s pretty much like hosting any of the big awards we know of internationally. Because the AMVCA has stood the test of time, it has that global reach and recognition. So, yeah, I am grateful.
Beside laughter for sure, are there other things that audiences should expect from you?
Well, I am just a host. Awards shows are peculiar for what they are, which is awards, basically. I think the job of the host is to make sure the event is neatly threaded together. It is more about the quality you bring than the quantity. You may see me maybe four or five times in total. But basically, the job of the host is to make sure that people do not get bored and that people enjoy the show. And that is what we will do.
Your comedy style is pretty fearless. It feels like nothing is off-limits, and your angles are always relatable. Now that you’re hosting the AMVCA, are there any lines you won’t cross, or is everything still fair game?
AMVCA is pretty much different every type of show. Keep your fingers crossed.
Do you have any role models who have shaped the way you work?
That is one question I have been asked from time to time, and my answers keep changing all the time. That is because I am a very voracious person. I always say I learn from the best, and I learn from the very worst too. When it comes to stand-up comedy, for example, I watch pretty much everybody, not because I want to know who is bombing, but I want to know how not to bomb.
On a broader scale, the likes of Richard Pryor, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, and Jamie Foxx. Especially Jamie Foxx, because he pretty much has a hand in several pieces as an A-lister. I gain inspiration now even from just scrolling and watching his reels. Honestly, I am very inspired by very many people, even outside of entertainment.
What would make this experience a success for you? Also, how do you think hosting the AMVCA this year, being your first, would reflect or uplift your career in general?
First off, I already feel good because it is the AMVCA. When you check the track record of the AMVCA, they have never had a bad show or a better last year. It is what the entire entertainment industry looks forward to. So, I am already elated in that regard.
As to the second question, again, it’s the AMVCA. That is a feather to my hat. I have hosted several other awards, so adding this very colourful feather makes me really happy.
You have been a nominee at the AMVCAs before. With Joke Silva announced as head judge this year, did that change anything for you in terms of expectations?
I did not give it a second thought. My job is to create entertainment and make these works of art, and once I put them out there and my consumers are happy, I’m very happy. I’ve received four personal nominations, and my works have earned three nominations, bringing the total to seven since inception.
I have never felt bad that I didn’t win. Just because there is no cherry on the top doesn’t mean you are not going to enjoy your cake. Awards shows are part of the industry, they glamorise it. Does it have benefits? Absolutely. But being nominated puts you amongst the stars and the top players for that work you put in.
It’s an opinion-based sport. The judges come together and decide who deserves it. Congratulations to them. One day, I will win. Joke Silva is a veteran in the game. She has given over 50 years to this business. She is qualified, but she is the head of the jury, not the one picking the winners.
So, good luck to everybody who is nominated.
You wear many hats, writer, producer, actor, host, comedian. Which one feels most natural to you, and which one still pushes you?
To be very honest, they are like identical triplets or quadruplets for me. It is like a woman who gives birth to four or five children at the same time. She would love all of them equally. The love I have for acting is as deep as the love I have for writing, and also for the stage.
Producing, I do not think it is a talent per se. Anybody can really be a producer without prior experience. You can learn it easily. But for my acting, writing and stand-up, these are things that are like second nature to me. If you ask me to drop some and keep one, it will be very hard.
Your comedy often feels like storytelling drawn from real life. What’s one funny experience you’ve never shared on stage?
First of all, many of the things I share are not always from my perspective. Some I make look like they are from my perspective. But to answer your question, maybe another time, because the ones that come to mind are not publishable. There is no age restriction to those who read your newspapers, so we’ll leave that one out for now.
Nollywood is in an interesting place with streaming, cinema and short-form content. Do you think this obsession with numbers is helping or hurting creativity?
The first thing I would say is kudos to every player in the game because of the nature of our environment. Kudos to everyone who has brought out their money and taken the risk, whether for YouTube, streaming platforms or cinemas. It’s almost like everybody is trying to survive.
Some may not be going about it the right way, but the bottom line is survival. I personally feel that until the government steps in and creates an adequate structure that will help filmmakers and business owners, it will remain challenging. What we are doing is tourism and nation branding.
Every filmmaker should at least be able to break even, regardless of the route. I always say collaboration over competition. Stakeholders need to find a way to work together so everybody can benefit. If we get it right, the money is enough to go around.
Looking ahead to the event, what kind of mark do you want to leave?
If we are honest, the show is not really about me. It’s about the nominees and the winners. My job is more of servitude. I also have a co-host, and we will be working as a team. Every host wants to make sure they deliver their part so that everybody is happy.
What was your first thought when you found out you’d be sharing the stage with Nomzamo Mbatha?
I was very impressed. I went to look her up and see what she has done, and she has quite an impressive résumé. That is a star joining me on stage to do the work.
As a father of three, if your children wanted to follow your path, would you encourage it?
My kid is already in the same industry. Before she went to boarding school, she was doing ads, featuring in some of my shows and introducing me on stage. She is 12 now and in a performing arts school. So yes, I would support.
Is there anyone in the audience you wouldn’t roast?
I think I have mastered the art of knowing what to say and when to say it. For a show like this, let’s not call it a roast, let’s call it a tease. There are people you see and you want to tease, especially if they are making the news. It’s all from a light place. It’s jokes, not insults.
If you could change anything about the AMVCA, what would you do?
I would change all the unknown faces that rush to sit in front. This is show business, and fans want to see their stars. When I turn on my TV, I want to see the A-listers. Only a few make it to the front, and it affects viewership.
Out of everything you’ve worked on, has there ever been a project you felt you couldn’t do?
It was actually the project that got me my first nominations at the maiden edition of the AMVCA, which was The Bovi Ugboma Show. I had shot two seasons and kept it in my drawer because I didn’t like the technical output.
But my friend told me it was a business, and I should put it out there. I did, and people fell in love with it. It got me my first nominations in 2013. That taught me that people are interested in the story. They will forgive bad lighting and sound, but they will never forgive a bad story.
You have been in the spotlight for a long time but still keep parts of your life private. What guides those choices?
I asked Richard Mofe-Damijo this question many years ago, and he told me, “You just ignore it.” I appreciate fame, but I try not to be robbed of what the average person experiences.
It makes me travel to places where I can walk freely and be treated like everybody else. When it comes to privacy, I used to share more when my kids were younger, but now they are teenagers and don’t even want to associate with me.
There are things I keep private, not because I’m hiding anything, but because everything is not for show.
Nomzamo Mbatha: Bringing Class to the AMVCAs
South African global star known for her grace and presence, Nomzamo Mbatha brings elegance, energy and star power to the AMVCA stage.
From accounting to acting, your journey has been anything but conventional. At what point did you realise storytelling was your true calling?
I remember the feeling I would get whenever I would step onto set, the challenge of bringing my character to life and then watching how it impacted people and society. Those were the beginning feelings that made me realise I was doing something I truly loved. That magical feeling has remained until now.
You have built a strong presence both in South Africa and Nigeria. How would you describe your relationship with Nigeria, and what keeps drawing you back?
I’m absolutely obsessed with the work ethic, the energy, the spiritedness and beauty of Nigerian people. What I admire the most is probably the sense of will and ambition that feels like every Nigerian is born with. It’s special.
African storytelling is gaining global attention, and you’ve been part of that movement. What does it mean to you to represent African culture on international platforms?
It means a great deal that in the stages of global dominance, Africa continues to not only fight for its position but once given the room to showcase what we have, it’s never a wasted opportunity and we truly just thrive.
This year, you step into a major role as co-host of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards. How did you feel when you got the call?
I had had a mix of feelings – nervous and excited at the prospect of hosting this massive event that means a great deal to the continent. It is literally the MET Gala of Africa with a twist of celebrating the biggest projects released that year. The pressure is definitely on!
You have attended and observed the AMVCAs over the years. What has been your impression of how the awards have evolved?
The production level has truly grown at scale, the anticipation for the fashion and artistes being honoured that night continues to be a talking point, and really, they are the awards that bring African creatives and storytellers together in a meaningful way.
What can audiences expect from you on the AMVCA stage this year — should we be ready for something different?
They should expect energy, class and world-class delivery. I’m putting my best foot forward. And of course, the FASHUNZZZ
Beyond the screen, you’re deeply involved in humanitarian work. How do you balance your career with your passion for advocacy and impact?
It is a heavy load to balance because of the different demands of each pillar that I hold in my career. But it’s a truly rewarding one to see real change and true impact. I have a great team that supports the Nomzamo Lighthouse Foundation in a deeply meaningful way, and I love making the world a better place with them.
You grew up in KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal. How did your upbringing shape the woman you are today, both personally and professionally?
Personally, it made me want to give back even more. Being raised in an underserved and difficult environment builds your character in a very distinct way. I have more empathy, more respect for people who work hard and have an inclination to support my community as I rise. Professionally? I have more grit, more ambition and a more unstoppable spirit as a person.
When you’re not working, what does a perfect day in your life look like, and what are the little things that bring you joy?
Spending time with my nieces and nephews, and leaving my phone by the side. If I am not doing that, I find a quiet place somewhere in the world and rest, hike, read and journal.