Nollywood actor Uzor Arukwe has won the Best Lead Actor award at the 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards for his performance in the epic drama Colors of Fire.
The award was presented during Saturday night’s remony held at Eko Hotel and Suites, where Uzor emerged victorious in one of the night’s competitive acting categories.
He beat fellow nominees, including Lateef Adedimeji for Lisabi: A Legend Is Born, Kanayo O. Kanayo for Grandpa Must Obey, Femi Branch for Red Circle, and William Benson for To Kill a Monkey.
In Colors of Fire, directed by Niyi Akinmolayan, Uzor portrayed Akinbode, a fierce Yoruba warrior sent on a dangerous mission to hunt a deadly beast believed to have been unleashed by rival clans.
The film also features Osas Ighodaro, Mercy Aigbe, Femi Branch, and Gabriel Afolayan.
Critics and fans widely praised UzoUzor’s performance for balancing intense physical presence with emotional vulnerability, a role many viewers described as a major shift from the charismatic “Od”gwu” t” pe characters he is popularly associated with in Nollywood.
The victory marks a major milestone in the actor’s career as it is his first-ever AMVCA win.
Beyond the Best Lead Actor triumph, Uzor also secured another acting nomination this year for Best Supporting Actor in Behind the Scenes, making him one of the few performers with multiple acting nominations at the 2026 awards.
The success of Colors of Fire extended beyond acting categories.
The film, produced by Anthill Studios, also won Best Costume Design, with Valerie Okeke receiving the award for her work on the production’s usually rich wardrobe and cultural styling.
During his acceptance speech, Uzor thanked the film’s director, cast, and fellow nominees, while dedicating the moment to African storytelling.
“This is a testament to the power of telling African stories with heart and fire,” he said.
The win has since sparked widespread online celebration, with many fans and colleagues congratulating the actor on what they described as a well-deserved recognition after years of consistent work in Nollywood.
For many observers, the award also signals Uzor Arukwe’s continued evolution from a fan-favorite supporting actor to one of the industry’s most respected leading men.
