17th BON Awards night in Lagos
Nollywood’s finest gathered at the National Arts Theatre on Sunday night for the 17th Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards, and it was a night of celebration, recognition, and cinematic brilliance.
“Farmers Bride” emerged as the evening’s standout, clinching Movie of the Year and Director of the Year, cementing its place as a defining work in contemporary Nigerian cinema.
Meanwhile, Femi Adebayo’s “Seven Doors” swept the technical categories, taking home Best Production Design, Best Special Effect, Best Series, and Best Cinematography. The film’s multiple wins underscored Nollywood’s growing emphasis on technical excellence and world-class production standards.
Acting accolades were dominated by “Black Out”, with Gideon Okeke winning Best Actor and Padita Agu earning Best Actress. Supporting roles also received well-deserved recognition: Mercy Aigbe was named Best Supporting Actress for My Mother Is a Witch, while Taye Ayimoro took home Best Supporting Actor for Son of the Soil.
On-screen chemistry was rewarded as Tobi Bakre and Folu Storms won Best Kiss for their performances in Red Cycle. Celebrating Nigerian culture, Abanisete won Best Indigenous Film, proving that culturally rooted storytelling remains a vital part of Nollywood.
Emerging talents also got their moment in the spotlight, with Razaq Adoti and Una Idoko winning Most Promising Actor and Actress, respectively.
In addition, Special Recognition Awards were presented to industry stalwarts Steve Ayorinde, Funke Akindele, and Dr. Shaibu Husseini for their invaluable contributions to Nollywood’s growth.
The 17th BON Awards not only celebrated individual brilliance but also highlighted Nollywood’s creative depth, honoring the performers, filmmakers, and technical professionals shaping the global future of Nigerian cinema.
