Nigerian singer Portable has publicly criticized the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) for overlooking veteran actor Ibrahim Chatta, suggesting that the snub reflects deeper biases within Nollywood. Portable expressed his frustration over Chatta’s exclusion from the 2023 AMVCA nominations, despite the actor’s acclaimed performance in the film King of Thieves (Agesinkole).
Ibrahim Chatta himself has addressed the issue, stating that while he isn’t troubled by the lack of nominations, he finds it disheartening that he wasn’t even invited to the ceremony. He remarked, “My exclusion from the nomination list didn’t make me feel bad… But my problem is that they don’t invite me and that looks like a conspiracy against me.” Chatta emphasized that his goal is to continue honing his craft, with aspirations of winning an Oscar in the future .
The AMVCA’s decision has sparked widespread reactions on social media, with fans and colleagues expressing their disappointment. Actress Olayinka Solomon, Chatta’s former partner, questioned the award organizers, asking, “Why would Ibrahim Chatta be excluded from the nomination of AMVCA in the first place?” She highlighted his versatility, especially in his role in Agesinkole, and urged the organizers to clarify their nomination criteria .
Many fans echoed these sentiments, describing Chatta as “underrated” and one of the best actors in Nollywood. They criticized the AMVCA for consistently overlooking his contributions to the industry .
This controversy has ignited a broader conversation about recognition and fairness in Nollywood, with calls for more transparency in award nominations and a reevaluation of how talent is acknowledged within the industry.
