Four Nollywood Icons to Be Honoured at 2026 BON Awards
The Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards has announced that four of Nollywood's most enduring figures will receive Special Recognition Awards at the 2026 ceremony. The honourees are Chief Pete Edochie, Ruth Kadiri, Peju Ogunmola, and Steve Sodiya. The announcement was made via the BON Awards' official Instagram page on July 10, 2026, confirming what many in the industry have long felt was overdue: a formal salute to figures whose contributions span decades and disciplines.
Why These Four Were Chosen
Each honouree was selected to represent a distinct pillar of Nigerian cinema. Chief Pete Edochie, MON, earns his recognition for a career built on commanding portrayals of wisdom, authority, and cultural identity. His performances remain a reference point for storytelling on the African continent, influencing generations of actors who came after him.
Ruth Kadiri, a celebrated actress, filmmaker, and screenwriter, is being honoured for consistent box-office success, her pioneering use of YouTube as a distribution platform, and a prolific output that has kept audiences engaged across multiple formats. Beyond the screen, the organisers highlighted the actress' deliberate efforts to uplift behind-the-scenes professionals through industry initiatives.
Veteran stage and screen actress Peju Ogunmola receives her honour for remarkable versatility across Yoruba and English-language cinema, as well as a lifelong commitment to using film and theatre as tools for preserving indigenous culture.
Steve Sodiya, an accomplished editor, director, and talent development advocate, rounds out the group. His recognition reflects work that extends well beyond the camera, particularly through mentorship and training programmes that have helped shape a new wave of Nollywood professionals.
BON Awards Ceremony Details
In a statement accompanying the announcement, the BON Awards committee described the four honourees as representing "the very heart of Nollywood: excellence, resilience, and service." The committee added that their collective legacies, spanning Chief Edochie's foundational influence, Ruth Kadiri's modern leadership, Ogunmola's cultural stewardship, and Sodiya's investment in emerging talent, are undeniable.
The Special Recognition Awards will be presented during the main ceremony, scheduled for Nigeria's "ember" months. The organisers noted that the official date, venue, and broadcast details will be shared in due course.
Industry Reactions and Context
The announcement has been met with widespread approval from fans and industry peers, many of whom took to social media to congratulate the honourees. The BON Awards, established to celebrate excellence in Nigerian cinema, have consistently recognised both established stars and emerging talents. The 2026 ceremony is expected to draw significant attention, especially given the stature of the Special Recognition Award recipients.
Earlier in 2026, veteran Fuji stars King Saheed Osupa and KS1 Malaika achieved global recognition after headlining a Lagos concert that set a Guinness World Record. The event, tagged Trench Symphony: The Dapper Live Experience, featured an 85-member orchestra performing alongside top Nigerian music stars, making it the largest orchestra ever assembled for an Afrobeats concert. Fans celebrated the historic feat, noting that the fusion of Fuji, Afrobeats, and orchestral music showcased the evolving relevance of Fuji while earning Nigeria another proud moment on the world stage.
