The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards has long been celebrated as Nollywood’s biggest night, but in recent years the men on that red carpet have quietly and then very loudly claimed their share of the fashion conversation. The 12th edition of the AMVCA, held on May 9, 2026 at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, made one thing abundantly clear: the era of men simply “showing up” in a suit is well and truly over. Under the theme “Honoring craft, celebrating culture,” the gentlemen of Nollywood and Nigerian entertainment came up with concepts, stories and a level of sartorial intent that rivaled anything on the women’s side of the carpet.
From hand-embroidered velvet jackets that took hundreds of hours of work to Dark Samurai-inspired ensembles complete with katanas, this was not a night for the fashion conscious. These men came with a clear focus on craftsmanship, identity and visual impact. What follows is the definitive roundup of the best-dressed men at the 2026 AMVCA, a list that reflects not only who looked good, but also who had something to say.
Here are the best dressed men living up to the AMVCA 2026 theme…
#1. Eme Kanaga in Rogue: 300 Hours of Dedication
If there’s one look from the entire evening that deserves to be studied, framed and archived, it’s this one. AMVCA 12 winner ‘Digital Creator of the Year’ Eme Kanaga arrived in a custom black velvet ringmaster jacket and wide-leg trousers from Rogue, explicitly inspired by Michael Jackson, and the performance was nothing short of extraordinary. The jacket and trousers are completely hand embroidered with more than 20,000 glass beads and crystal stones, representing more than 300 hours of craftsmanship. Paired with a white bishop collar shirt, the look balanced theatricality with elegance in a way that felt truly iconic. The look balanced performance-inspired theatrics with meticulous craftsmanship and strong visual storytelling
#2. Tobi Bakre in Deji and Kola: Yoruba Cool, Fully Realized
Tobi Bakre walked into the AMVCA 12 as a considered vision, every detail aligned, every element speaking the same language. The agbada by Deji and Kola, the custom slippers, the brass bell and jewelry by Frontiers Brand, the creative direction, nothing was accidental, nothing was left to chance. The result was a look that could only be described as intentional Yoruba cool: rooted in culture, refined by intention and executed without a single wasted detail.
#3. Deyemi Okanlawon in Deji and Kola: The Dark Samurai has arrived
Deyemi Okanlawon didn’t come to the AMVCAs, he came up with one of the most ambitious fashion concepts of the evening. His “Dark Samurai” ensemble featured a black and crimson heavily beaded tunic that combined Nigerian craftsmanship with the aesthetics of Japanese warriors, and he carried a katana as a statement accessory. It’s the kind of risk that could easily go wrong and instead go completely and spectacularly right. The energy was unparalleled, the execution was precise and the overall effect was one of the most memorable red carpet performances of the evening.
#4. Stan Nze in AmDiddy Empire: The Igbo Odogwu tradition continues
Stan Nze tapped into the growing Igbo Odogwu fashion movement with a fitted, beaded jacket paired with a skirt, a look that was bold, culturally grounded and all its own. The all-black ensemble, designed by AmDiddy Empire, demonstrated that traditional inspiration and contemporary tailoring do not conflict. When worn with such confidence, they are one and the same.
#5. Akin Faminu in Deji and Kola: Consistently, unmistakably regal
Similar to Faminu has built a reputation as one of the best-dressed men in Nigeria, and his AMVCA 2026 appearance did not detract from that status but only enhanced it. Dressed in an intricately detailed suit by Deji and Kola, he looked regal in that effortless way that suggests he never had to try too hard. Faminu once again demonstrated the polished consistency that has made him a standout in Nigerian menswear.
#6. Shaun Okojie in Rogue: Botanical Opulence
Shaun Okojie delivered perhaps the most technically successful styling of the evening. His open-front collarless jacket from Rogue featured intricate gold and bronze beadwork in a striking botanical motif, grounded by a chocolate brown satin shirt and black high-waisted wide-leg trousers. The accessories, a gold watch, a necklace and minimalist jewelry, were chosen with the precision of someone who understands that restraint and opulence are not opposites. The result was a look that was both luxurious and impeccably tailored.
#7. Prince Nelson Enwerem in House of Vieve: The Standard-Bearer Returns
Big Brother alumni Prince Nelson Enwerem has built a consistent reputation for delivering consistently memorable red carpet performances at major Nigerian events, and the 12th AMVCA was no exception. Dressed in a House of Vieve suit, he behaved with the ease of a man who knows exactly what he is doing in front of a camera. Quiet, reliable and brilliantly well dressed.
#8. Chimezie Imo in Fai World: Cobalt Blue Royalty
Chimezie Imos Fai World’s deep cobalt velvet double-breasted tuxedo was an exercise in monochrome mastery. The soft velvet played beautifully against the oversized shimmering satin shawl lapels and a matching silk shirt, creating a sophisticated dialogue between light and texture within a single shade. A bold, sculptural gold brooch at the neck provided just the right warm counterpoint to the cool blue tones, while relaxed wide-leg trousers kept the silhouette grounded and contemporary. It was confident, deliberate and quietly gorgeous.
#9. Larry Hector in Ayo and Styles: Futurist Formalism
Larry Hector brought an architectural sensibility to the red carpet in a structured white jacket with a high neckline and honeycomb structure from Ayo and Styles. Pearl trim lined the edges of the garment and flowed into flared trousers that gave the entire look a commanding, almost heavenly presence. Paired with a crisp white tuxedo shirt and bow tie, this was classic formalwear pushed into futuristic territory; elegant, dramatic and utterly unforgettable.
#10. Dijk Miracle Chidi in Fai World: where customization meets nature
Dyke Miracle Chidi arrived in a cream suit with a mandarin collar, decorated with beautiful bronze floral embroidery that ran in a vine-like symmetry down the neckline and down the forearms. The handicrafts were the unmistakable focal point, but the structured shoulders and tight, wide-leg trousers allowed the tailoring to hold its own. Finished with dark mahogany leather loafers, the look achieved a rare harmony between softness and structure, between craft and restraint.
#11. Samuel Chibuikem Osuji in Deji and Kola: Dandy with a point of view
Samuel Chibuikem Osujis A dove gray cropped suit with oversized peak lapels and a contrasting black collar was already a strong look. Then came the bolo tie with magenta jewels, the polka dot shirt, the silver waist chain and the clear glasses. This was retro-modern dandyism with an unmistakable point of view, and Deji and Kola conveyed every eccentricity with precision. It walked the line between daring and sophisticated, without ever tipping too far in either direction.
#12. Samuel Banks in OJ clothes: asymmetrical masterpiece
Samuel Banks wore a deep navy blue velvet tunic from OJ Clothing that transformed the left side into a canvas of intricate silver and crystal beadwork topped with cascading floral vines. Meanwhile, the asymmetry was striking without being chaotic, and the cream boots against midnight velvet provided a sharp, modern contrast that brought out the entire silhouette. A pair of aviator sunglasses and a statement silver ring completed a look that felt regal, contemporary and completely unique.
#13. Etim Effiong in Deji and Kola: Victorian edge meets modern menswear
Etim Effiong brought plenty of drama to the carpet in a pitch-black tuxedo with razor-sharp lapels, a cut-out hem, a tonal black high-neck blouse and an oversized silk tie with a large ornate silver brooch on it. The Victorian references were unmistakable, but the wide-leg trousers and white-tipped dress shoes kept the look from feeling like a costume. Instead, it felt like a design brief that said “historic and avant-garde” and then delivered on both.
#14. Michael Dappa in P.ARIES: controlled chaos
Michael Dappa’s black textured blazer from P.ARIES featured aggressive silver and white paint splatters on the shoulders and chest, ruby red accents that mimicked dripping liquid, and an asymmetrical mother-of-pearl hem. It was punk-inspired, it was rebellious and it was critically, carefully crafted. Dark round shades and pointed-toe Chelsea boots completed a look that proved chaos, when handled in the right hands, is its own kind of elegance.
#15. Kola Omottoso in a modern Africa: the sculpture of a classic
Kola Omottoso concluded this list in well-considered, cinematic style. His double-breasted jacket from A Modern Africa featured an oversized shawl lapel that gave the silhouette a sculptural, layered dimension. A silver floral brooch, a crisp pocket square and thick-rimmed sunglasses added personality without disrupting the clean lines of what was essentially a reimagined classic. Sometimes the most powerful fashion statement is knowing exactly how far to push a familiar shape, and then stopping there.
The men at AMVCA 2026 had a lot to offer
From Eme Kanaga’s 300-hour beaded masterpiece to Kola Omotoso’s architectural tuxedo, the best-dressed men at the 2026 AMVCA collectively and individually proved that Nigerian menswear is having its most exciting moment yet. The craftsmanship is sharper, the concepts are bolder and the trust is absolute. The conversation has changed and these men have led it.
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