Veteran Nollywood actor Ramsey Nouah has opened up about a career milestone that has eluded him despite his decades in the Nigerian film industry: an Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award (AMVCA) win.
Nouah made the revelation during an appearance on the Curiosity Made Me Ask podcast, where he reflected on his experience at the awards.
The actor was nominated for Best Actor in a Drama for his role as Captain Dewa in the historical film 76 at the 2017 AMVCAs.
The category featured some of Nigeria’s most established actors, including Richard Mofe-Damijo, popularly known as RMD, and the late Olu Jacobs. Gregory Ojefua and Femi Jacobs were also nominated.
Nouah did not win the award. Sambasa Nzeribe, who was nominated for his role in Slow Country, ultimately took home the prize.
Looking back at the loss, Nouah said the voting structure at the time was different from what he understands to be the current system.
According to him, the awards were then driven predominantly by viewers’ votes, while the present format combines audience participation with the input of a professional jury.
Nouah argued that the earlier arrangement gave an advantage to nominees with stronger social media followings.
“I never won an AMVCA. I was nominated for best actor in 76 and I lost.”
He added that he, RMD and Olu Jacobs did not have the same level of social media presence as the eventual winner at the time.
The actor said the voting dynamics meant that online visibility could play a significant role in determining the outcome.
Despite the setback, Nouah has remained one of Nollywood’s most recognisable actors and has also expanded his career into directing and producing.
His performance in 76, directed by Izu Ojukwu, earned the film multiple nominations at the 2017 AMVCAs. The movie was set against the backdrop of the 1976 military coup and the assassination of former Head of State Murtala Mohammed.
Nouah’s comments offer a glimpse into how award systems and audience engagement have evolved alongside the Nigerian entertainment industry, particularly as social media has become a major part of how films, actors and other creative works reach audiences.
