Nollywood actor Lateef Oladimeji has won the Best Indigenous Language, West Africa, at the 11th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) with his film, Lisabi.

In Lisabi, a valiant Yoruba folk hero rises against tyranny, rallying his people to reclaim their land and identity, reshaping history through courage and resilience, defying oppression.

Lisabi: The Uprising is a 2024 Nigerian historical drama film directed by Niyi Akinmolayan and produced by Adebimpe Oyebade and Victoria Akujobi. The cast includes Lateef Adedimeji, Adebimpe Oyebade, Ibrahim Chatta, Jide Awobona, Eniola Ajao, and Adebowale Adedayo.

The plot follows Lisabi Agbongbo-Akala, a farmer driven to vengeance after witnessing the brutal killing of his close friend by the Alaafin of Oyo and his ally, Songodeyi. The film is loosely based on the historic 18th-century Lisabi Rebellion of Abeokuta.

Lisabi also won Best Art Direction.

Speaking with The Guardian, Oladimeji said, “The AMVCA gets better every year and the bar keeps increasing; that is a beautiful one from the organisers.

“We need motivation like this; everybody knows that Africa Magic is something everyone looks up to so, if your work is being recognized, it means you are doing something good but also, if you’re not recognized, it doesn’t mean you are not doing something good.

“I am not under pressure, I don’t rush myself. I want to make a film better than Lisabi and we are so close to starting.”