Kayode Kasum’s AMVCA Trailblazer Win Deserved, Not Surprising

The 2025 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) took place over a week ago (May 10, 2025), bringing with it its usual eyebrow-raising moments, sharp social commentary online, and the inevitable “snub talk” that always trails the event. One moment that sent social media into a frenzy was Nigerian filmmaker Kayode Kasum winning the annual Trailblazer Award, but not for the reasons you might think.

The Trailblazer Award is one of two Recognition Awards presented at the AMVCAs, alongside the Industry Merit Award, which went to Nkem Owoh and Sani Mu’azu this year. Recipients are selected by a jury of seasoned filmmakers from across the continent, led by a head juror. While the show organizers haven’t publicly outlined specific criteria for the recipients of the award, the dictionary defines a trailblazer as someone who is an innovator—a fitting description. The award, therefore, honors individuals who have demonstrated remarkable creativity and influence, establishing themselves as forces in the African entertainment industry.

Kayode Kasum is undeniably that, and more. His win breaks a nearly decade-long pattern, making him the third non-actor to take home the honor after Michelle Bello in 2014 and C.J. Obasi in 2015.

Why the Uproar?

The online debacle stemmed from a common misconception: that the Trailblazer Award is exclusively for actors. It’s not. Still, it’s not strange that people think so—the last time a non-actor received the award was Obasi in 2015, nearly a decade ago.

Another point of confusion was the assumption that the award is meant for newcomers in Nollywood—a description that doesn’t quite fit Kasum. While his official directing career began in 2017, he has since helmed several of Nigeria’s biggest box office hits, including “Reel Love” (2025), “Sugar Rush” (2019), and “Ajosepo” (2024). To many, giving him the Trailblazer Award felt like a downgrade, as though it failed to match his established status and success.

Past recipients of the award have mostly been rising stars or emerging talents in Nollywood, such as Chimezie Imo (2024), Bisola Aiyeola (2018), and Kemi Lala Akindoju (2016). Kasum’s résumé reads like that of a seasoned industry veteran, making the choice feel jarring to some online warriors.

Kasum’s Track Record

Kasum started out as a motion graphics designer at Wale Adenuga Productions before transitioning to filmmaking in 2017. His debut animated feature “Dognapped” was Nigeria’s first live-action animated film—a sign of his innovative spirit. However, it was the film “Oga Bolaji” that catapulted him to nationwide fame, as the poignant drama was screened at film festivals across six continents.

The only way was up from there for the filmmaker, as his roster has been a whirlwind of hits that defy genre and expectations. His 2019 crime-comedy “Sugar Rush” shattered box office records, becoming Nigeria’s 15th highest-grossing film. In 2020, “This Lady Called Life,” a quiet romantic drama, earned critical acclaim, while “Fate of Alakada” topped the box office and delivered heart-warming laughs.

Even when he embraced creative risks with “Soole” (2021), which was filmed entirely on a moving bus, it paid off with an AMVCA nomination in 2022. And with the beloved “Afamefuna: An Nwa Boi Story” (2023), a film that spotlighted the Igbo apprenticeship system and dominated the Netflix Nigeria charts in early 2024, Kasum leaned fully into cultural storytelling to wide appeal.

Then came “Reel Love,” the 2025 Valentine’s Day romantic comedy starring Timini Egbuson and Bimbo Ademoye, which proved to be his most beloved work yet. It became his highest-grossing film to date (ranking No. 10) and is one of the most talked-about titles of the year’s first quarter.

Outside cinema, Kasum’s work in television is equally impressive. With over 10,000 minutes of directing telenovelas like MNET’s “Unbroken” (2019-2020) and “Riona” (2020), and credits in Netflix’s breakout series “Far From Home” (2022), he has shown his versatility in directing long-form content without losing his creative voice.

Through it all, his production company, FilmTribe Media, remains committed to nurturing young talents in scriptwriting, live filmmaking, and post-production. This proves that filmmaking is more than just a passion—it’s about building a legacy and championing Nollywood’s global potential.

Final Verdict

The AMVCAs jury may have interpreted the word trailblazer in its literal sense when they chose Kasum, and rightly so. But given their history of awarding “new acts” in previous years, it’s understandable why some felt this year’s choice was a mismatch for a director already considered an industry titan.

Perhaps it’s time for the award show organizers to be more transparent about their selection process for non-voting categories like Trailblazer. This would go a long way in minimizing confusion and criticism.

Unsurprisingly, Kasum doesn’t seem fazed by the chatter of an “award downgrade.” Though absent from the May 10 ceremony, he took to social media to thank the AMVCAs in a heartfelt post, later proudly showing off the award.

Many, and this author included, are simply glad that Kasum finally took home an AMVCA after years of box office success and overlooked nominations. It’s about time he got the recognition he deserves and even if it came in the form of the Trailblazer Award, it’ll suffice as a celebration of his remarkable artistry. In an industry as competitive as Nollywood, few filmmakers break as much ground or receive as much fan love as he does.

From slapstick comedies to deeply resonant dramas, the sky has never been the limit for Kasum, and we can’t wait to see what he creates next.