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BON Awards: Femi Adebayo’s ‘Seven Doors’ dominates 17th edition

The 17th edition of the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards, Lagos edition, was all fun and glamour as Femi Adebayo’s hit series, ‘Seven Doors,’ dazzled at the National Theatre today, where the industry’s finest were celebrated and the year’s top talents were crowned.

While the drama ‘Farmers Bride’ claimed the night’s top honors, the movie ‘Seven Doors’ emerged as the most prolific winner, sweeping four major technical categories.

The most prestigious movie awards of the night went to ‘Farmers Bride’ in the Movie of the Year and Director of the Year categories.

‘Seven Doors,’ Femi Adebayo’s technical masterpiece proved to be the night’s biggest single film winner, taking home four highly coveted awards, including: Best Production Design, Best Special Effect, Best Series, and Best Cinematography.

The film’s performance highlights the growing recognition of high-quality production and technical excellence in Nigerian cinema.

Beyond the top prizes, the awards celebrated diverse aspects of filmmaking.

The lead acting awards saw a clean sweep for the film ‘Black Out,’ with Gideon Okeke and Padita Agu taking home the Best Actor and Best Actress statuettes, respectively.

In the supporting roles, veteran actress Mercy Aigbe was recognised for her role in ‘My Mother Is a Witch,’ while Taye Ayimoro won for ‘Son of the Soil.’

The memorable screen chemistry between Tobi Bakre and Folu Storms in ‘Red Cycle’ earned them the award for Best Kiss.

‘Abanisete’ secured the Best Indigenous award, underscoring the importance of cultural storytelling. The promising future of Nollywood was also highlighted with wins for Razaaq Adoti (Most Promising Actor for Son of the Soil) and Una Idoko (Most Promising Actress for I Am Anis).

The 17th BON Awards also dished out special recognition awards for the deserving trio of Steve Ayorinde, Funke Akindele, and Dr Shaibu Husseini.

Here’s the full list of winners

BEST OF NOLLYWOOD AWARD 2025

WINNERS LIST

BEST ACTOR – GIDEON OKEEKE (BLACK OUT)

BEST ACTRESS – PADITA AGU (BLACK OUT)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR – TAYE AYIMORO ( SON OF THE SOIL)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS – MERCY AIGBE (MY MOTHER IS A WITCH)

BEST KISS – TOBI BAKRE & FOLU STORMS (RED CYCLE)

BEST SOCIAL MESSAGE – MAYOMI

BEST SHORT FILM – EGBEJI

BEST COSTUME – SEVEN DOORS

BEST SOUND – AGEMO

BEST SOUNDTRACK – IYALODE

BEST USE OF FOOD – OWAMBE THIEVES

BEST INDIGENOUS – ABANISETE

BEST CHILD ACTOR – AHMED ISA (FINDING NINA)

BEST CHILD ACTRESS – IJELU FOLAJIMI SHARON (SON OF THE SOIL)

MOST PROMISING ACTOR – RAZAQ ADOTI (SON OF THE SOIL)

MOST PROMISING ACTRESS – UNA IDOKO (I AM ANIS)

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN – SEVEN DOORS

BEST SCREENPLAY – MY MOTHER IS A WITCH

BEST USE OF MAKEUP – LABAKE OLODODO

BEST SPECIAL EFFECT – SEVEN DOORS

BEST EDITING – REEL LOVE

BEST DOCUMENTARY – BEYOND FOOTBALL

BEST SERIES – SEVEN DOORS

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY – SEVEN DOORS

MOVIE OF THE YEAR – FARMERS BRIDE

DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR – FARMERS BRIDE

December 15, 2025
BON Awards calls for entries

The organisers of Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards have called for entries ahead of its 2025 edition billed for Ilorin, Kwara State.

In a statement signed by Olayinka Adesina for BON Awards, the submission of entries kicked off on May 1, 2025 and will close on July 30, 2025.

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“We are pleased to announce that the entry period for the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards is now open. This presents a valuable opportunity for filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals to showcase their work and compete for prestigious awards. To submit works, kindly visit the Filmfreeway. We wish you the best of luck and look forward to reviewing your submissions.

Founded by Seun Oloketuyi, Best Of Nollywood Awards inked a hosting rights deal with Kwara State for two years. The 2024 edition was held at the Sugar Factory in Ilorin.

May 23, 2025
FULL LIST: Femi Adebayo emerges top winner at 2024 BON Awards

The 16th edition of the Best of Nollywood Awards (BON) was held on Sunday night in Ilorin, Kwara State, with Femi Adebayo’s epic Yoruba Netflix Original, “Jagun Jagun”, emerging as one of the biggest winners of the night.

The film clinched six awards, including Best Indigenous Film, Best Actor (Femi Adebayo), Best Production Design, Best Special Effects, Best Costume, and Director of the Year, shared by Bayo Tijani and Tope Adebayo. With 12 nominations, “Jagun Jagun” was also one of the most-nominated films of the night.

The star-studded event took place at the Sugar Factory Film Studios and was hosted by celebrated actress, Toyin Abraham.

Other notable winners included Kanayo O. Kanayo receiving a lifetime achievement award, presented by the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman, alongside the Director-General of the National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism, Aare Abisoye Fagade.

Here is the full list of winners at the 2024 BON Awards:

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Adire

BEST SOCIAL MESSAGE

Unleashed

DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

Bayo Tijani & Tope Adebayo (Jagun Jagun)

BEST SHORT FILM

Out of Many

BEST ACTRESS

Wunmi Dada (Unknown Soja)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Keppy Ekpenyong (The Weekend)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Mercy Aigbe (Ada Omo Daddy)

BEST ACTOR

Femi Adebayo (Jagun Jagun)

BEST EDITING

Momiwa

BEST COSTUME

Jagun Jagun

BEST SOUNDTRACK

Oloku Ada

BEST SOUND

Offshoot

BEST USE OF FOOD

Nwanyi Abacha

Read Also: Femi Adebayo celebrates veteran ‘Ojopagogo’ on birthday

BEST INDIGENOUS FILM

Jagun Jagun

BEST CHILD ACTRESS

Darasimi Nadi (Unknown Soja)

BEST CHILD ACTOR

Nifemi Lawal

MOST PROMISING ACTRESS

Chioma Okafor

MOST PROMISING ACTOR

Ozechi Franklin Izuchuchukwu

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

Jagun Jagun

BEST SCREENPLAY

Momiwa

BEST KISS

Halima Ganiyu & David Akande (Eti Keta)

BEST DOCUMENTARY

Is It Your Money?

BEST SPECIAL EFFECT

Jagun Jagun

November 25, 2024
Kwara ready to host filmmakers as BON Awards 2024 picks Nov 24

It is no longer news that Kwara State has clinched the hosting rights for this year’s edition of the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards, making it a huge destination for filmmakers around Nigeria and beyond.

Perhaps newsworthy is that the presentation of the hosting rights took place at the prestigious Sugar Factory Film Studios, Ilorin, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s latest utopia for filmmakers and video content creators.

While speaking at the event, Seun Oloketuyi, founder of BON Awards said, ‘‘We are indeed excited to have Kwara as the host for this year’s awards, and we can be sure that it will be a fulfilling experience. What this also means is that BON weekend in November will see about 500 big Nollywood stars storm Kwara for the event, and when they see the welcoming atmosphere and enabling infrastructure, they can be sure that they are in the right place.”

Read Also: BON Awards: 34 films make 29 categories for 14th edition

Receiving the hosting rights of the award, Governor Abdulrazaq said the event will be held at the iconic Sugar Factory Film Studio which has been built to take the Nigerian creative industry to the next level through cutting-edge last mile, post production capabilities.

“We are honoured to be given the hosting rights for this year’s event (Best of Nollywood Award). As you can see, Kwara is ready to dominate the film industry. The intention for this Sugar Factory Film Studio is to take film production in Nigeria to another level.

“What we have seen in Africa and globally is that what we are producing (in Nigeria) are mostly videos.

September 4, 2024
‘Shanty Town,’ ‘Underbelly,’ emerge top winners at BON Awards

Chinenye Nworah’s ‘Shanty Town’ and Tunde Aina’s ‘Underbelly’ emerged major contenders for the highest number of awards received at the 15th Best Of Nollywood (BON) Awards.

The ceremony held in Osogbo, the state capital last Friday was attended by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Also at the event was the BON awards founder/Chief Executive Officer, Seun Oloketuyi.

A total of 29 awards were won by film practitioners while two special recognition awards were conferred on two veterans, Adebayo Salami (aka Oga Bello, and Chief Toyin Adegbola (aka Asewo to re mecca).

The special recognition awards were presented to the two veterans by the governor.

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Nworah’s ‘Shanty Town’ and Aina’s ‘Underbelly’ emerged the biggest winners with five awards each while ‘Shanty Town’ won awards for Best Use Of Make Up, Best Actress In A Supporting Role English, Best Actress In An English Movie, Best Actor in an English Movie, and Movie of the Year, ‘Underbelly’ clinched the awards for Best Use of Special Effect, Production Design, Most Promising Actor, Best Actor in a Supporting Role English, and Director of the Year.

Other winners included ‘Ifedichie,’ ‘Obara’m,’ Mustapha Solagbade, Debbie Sokoya, Funso Adeolu, Jumoke Odetola and Princess Kossy Nwogu.

Other notable attendees at the event included state commissioners; Chief Dele Momodu; Nobert Young, Yemi Blaq, Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, Fred Amata, Kemi Adekomi, Damilola Oni, and Abiola Atanda (aka Madam Kofo).

The highlight of the awards that held at the Adolak Events Centre was Adeleke’s performance. Referred to as the dancing governor, Adeleke gave guests a splendid performance as he thrilled with his dance steps as well as miming his nephew, Davido, and son, Sina Rambo’s songs.

The governor said that everyone knows about his love for the entertainment and arts industry.

He noted that his son and nephew are top players and that he strives to support the entertainment industry.

Adeleke implored the film practitioners to take advantage of the landscape and support of the state government.

December 27, 2023
BON Awards unveils nominees

The screening committee for this year’s edition of Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards has released the list of nominees.

A statement from the organization says the exercise marks the end of four months of intense activities which started with call for entries.

“This year, we received 112 films including 93 feature films, eight short films and one documentary series were screened. 10 others were disqualified for various reasons relating to not meeting entry requirement,” said the organisers.

They observed that “practitioners are doing all possible to raise the bar of production even though a lot of entries still leave much to be desired. One sure thing however is that Nigerian filmmakers are doing their best to attain international standards and they need to be encouraged.”

Continuing, they said: “We noticed a slight improvement in the number of films made in other Nigerian languages this year and commend the effort of these producers. BON prides itself as a promoter of the beauty that exists in our diversity, we see films as a veritable way of preserving our culture and appeal to filmmakers to produce more films in local languages and bring them forward for the awards.”

November 14, 2018
December date for BON Awards

Founder and Chief Executive of Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards, Mr. Seun Oloketuyi, has announced December 9, 2018, as date for this year’s show.

This edition marks a decade since the scheme began, hence Oloketuyi description of the outing as double celebration.

He said that the host state and unveiling of the 2018 nominees will be announced on October 29, while assuring of a landmark 10th anniversary of BON Awards.

The annual film event is presented by Best of Nollywood Magazine to honor outstanding achievements in the Nigerian movie industry.

October 6, 2018
Nominees unveiled for BON Awards 2016

THE organisers of the Best of Nollywod (BON) Awards have released the list of nominees for the 2016 edition. The list which was unveiled in Lagos contains five major films that will contest the Movie of the Year category.

They include, Icheke Oku directed by Emeka Amakeze; Irawe Igbo directed by Aliu Gafar; A Soldier’s Story by Frankie Ogar; Something Wicked by Yemi Morafa and Eni-Owo by Adebayo Tijani and Muyiwa Ademola.

The Directors of the five films will also contest with Uduak-Obong Patrick (Not Just Married) and Desmond Elliot (Hire A Man) for the Director of the Year laurel.

Head of Jury, Niran Adedokun, disclosed that the selection was made after screening more than 120 films submitted for the Award. He said the entries include feature films in English, Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo, 10 short films, five documentaries and seven television series.

According to Adeniran, the Award is aimed at recognising and promoting the best of films and filmmakers in Nigeria. “The BON Awards, in less than one decade of its existence, has become the most authentic home grown platform honouring the richness and ingenuity of Nigerian cinema. This year’s edition shall be hosted by the executive governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ipkeazu,” he said.

November 27, 2016
APPLAUSE FOR ‘INVASION 1897’, ‘OCTOBER 1’, ‘DRY’ AT BON AWARDS

AKURE, the Ondo State capital, witnessed an unusual crowd last Sunday, as celebrities from the Nigerian motion picture sector stormed the newly constructed International Conference Centre for the annual Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards. Hosted by Governor Segun Mimiko led government of Ondo State, the event which was also graced by politicians, government functionaries, fans of the celebrities and the media witnessed a poutpourri of performances which climaxed in the 40 categories of the award show.

Lancelot Imasuen’s movie, Invasion 1897 took the lead with three laurels, including Best Movie, Best Director and Best Soundtrack, while Kunle Afolayan’s October 1, picked Best Production Design, Best Actor and Best Costume. Stephanie Okereke’s advocacy film, Dry, got Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay and Movie with the Best Social message. Special recognition awards went to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Senator Godswill Akpabio, actress Patience Ozokwor and filmmaker Tade Ogidan.

The event which was emceed by Nollywood actress Bimbo Akintola and actor Gideon Okeke, also had names such as Ibinabo Fiberesima, Bukky Wright, Yemi Blaq, Yomi Fash Lanso, Dayo Amusa, Iyabo Ojo, Gbenga Adeyinka, Omo Baba, SIM Card and Segun Arinze who produced the show.

Organisers of the event also remembered some of the entertainers who have passed on in the last five years. They include Amaka Igwe, Muna Obiekwe, Justus Esiri, Enebeli Elebuwa and Lekinson.

Governor Mimiko, while acknowledging the resilience of the show’s organiser, Seun Oloketuyi, expressed how much he believes in the Nigerian entertainment industry. “I congratulate Nollywood practitioners as well as the CEO of BON, Seun Oloketuyi, who is focused and driven,” the governor said. Other winners at the event are Nse Ikpe Etim, Queen Nwokoye, Kunle Afod, Ope Aiyeola, Ebube Nwagbo, Nafisat Abdullahi and Omowunmi Dada.

December 19, 2015
Segun Arinze to direct BON Awards

ORGANISERS of Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards have appointed notable actor, Segun Arinze, as the Artistic Director of the 2015 edition of the show, taking place in Akure, Ondo State.

Executive Producer of BON Awards, Seun Oloketuyi, who disclosed the actor’s appointment, said “The choice of Segun Arinze is predicated on the fact that we have promised that BON Awards 2015 will surpass the previous years in every ramification and based on that, we have decided to bring on board more people with the skill, and savvy to help us achieve this.”

Oloketuyi said the show is relying on Arinze’s experience as an actor and event organiser, while also tapping into his network and respectability in the industry to “ensure that we have a BON Awards to remember. We look forward to having a good time working with him.”

The Badagry, Lagos State-born actor expressed appreciation for the gesture, promising to bring his expertise and experience to bear, by improving the artistic and technical standards of the awards.

“With a profound sense of duty, I accept the gesture of the organisers of BON awards in appointing me as the artistic director for the 2015 edition of the event. The BON awards is dear to me because it is a homegrown reward platform for Nigerian actors and that was one of the reasons I accepted to join the train that was in Akure, Ondo State recently for the unveiling of the host state,” Arinze said.

August 15, 2015