The Best of Nollywood Awards, known simply as the BON Awards, are one of the longest running award ceremonies dedicated to Nigerian cinema.

Origins

The awards were founded in 2009 by entertainment journalist Seun Oloketuyi, publisher of Best of Nollywood Magazine. The aim was to recognise excellence across the fast growing industry and to give film makers outside the biggest studios a fair chance at national attention.

Celebrating indigenous language films

A defining feature of the BON Awards is its recognition of films made in Nigerian languages. Categories such as Best Actor and Best Actress in a Leading Role are presented for Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa productions, alongside English language honours.

That focus matters. Much of Nollywood's audience watches in their mother tongue, and these categories have helped spotlight performers who might otherwise be overlooked. Okey Bakassi, for instance, won Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) for the film Onye Ozi.

A travelling ceremony

The ceremony is hosted in a different Nigerian city in many years, which spreads its economic and cultural benefits beyond Lagos and brings stars closer to fans around the country.

Today, the BON Awards remain an important date on the Nollywood calendar and a respected marker of achievement for actors, directors and crews.