'I danced all night because I had no hotel money' - Nigerian actor

One of the most memorable moments of the 15th Ghana Movie Awards occurred after Nigerian actor Deyemi Okanlawon used his acceptance speech to recount a humbling experience from his very first visit to the event 11 years ago, in 2015.

He recounted how he danced through the night at an after-party simply because he could not afford a hotel room.

Okanlawon picked up the award for Best African Collaboration for his role in the movie *Sukura* at the star-studded ceremony held on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra.

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Standing on the same stage where he once struggled to make ends meet, the Nollywood star took the audience back to 2015, when financial constraints left him with nowhere to sleep after arriving in Ghana for the awards.

"In 2015, I had nowhere to sleep. I went to the after-party, I danced till the morning, and I took my flight back to Lagos," he recalled.

"Thank God for the gift of storytelling that we all share here today. This award goes to every single person who has ever dreamt of being great," he added.

The 15th edition marked Okanlawon's third appearance at the Ghana Movie Awards, but his first time walking away with a trophy.

Watch the video below:

🇳🇬Nigerian actor ,Deyemi Okanlawon wins Best Actor African Collaboration with the movie , Sukura . #Ghanaweekend#15thGhanaMovieAwards pic.twitter.com/wBIPM1HjJc

— Ghana Weekend (@GhanaWeekend) June 8, 2026