Nollywood actress Lilian Afegbai, popularly known as Lily Afe, has issued a public apology to organisers of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards following her earlier reaction to being overlooked at the 12th edition.
In a post shared on her X (formerly Twitter) page on Saturday, the actress described her previous comments as inappropriate and acknowledged that her apology was long overdue.
“This apology should have come earlier. That tweet should not have happened. No excuse,” she wrote.
Afegbai admitted that her reaction stemmed from disappointment and a sense of entitlement after she was not nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category for her role in To Kill A Monkey.
She said the response was out of character and extended apologies not only to the award organisers but also to fellow nominees, her colleagues on the project, and her supporters.
“It was disrespectful to AMVCA, the nominees, my To Kill A Monkey family, and all of you who have supported me. Honestly, I was disappointed, but that’s not an excuse for how I responded,” she added.
Reflecting on her journey, the actress explained that she had long felt overlooked in the industry and had viewed the film as a turning point in her career.
“To Kill A Monkey felt like my ‘now they see me’ moment, and I held on to that very tightly,” she said, noting that the disappointment influenced her reaction.
Afegbai, however, pledged to learn from the experience and move forward with a better outlook.
“I was wrong and I am sorry. Please give me a chance to be better,” she wrote, assuring fans that she would handle future situations more responsibly.
Her apology comes amid ongoing conversations about expectations, recognition, and professionalism within Nigeria’s film industry.
