The Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, is an annual awards ceremony that honours outstanding achievements in the film industry. It is considered one of the most prestigious awards in the entertainment industry and is attended by some of the biggest names in Hollywood.

Over the years, several Nigerian artistes have made their mark at the Academy Awards, either through their participation in nominated films or through their own individual achievements. While Nigeria may not have a long history of Oscar winners, there have been a number of Nigerian artistes who have been recognized for their talent and contributions to the film industry.

One of the most notable Nigerian artistes to have participated in the Academy Awards is filmmaker and director Kunle Afolayan. Afolayan's film "The Figurine" was selected as Nigeria's official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 83rd Academy Awards in 2010. While the film did not receive a nomination, it was a significant achievement for Afolayan and helped to raise the profile of Nigerian cinema on the international stage.

Another Nigerian artist who has made a mark at the Oscars is actress and filmmaker Genevieve Nnaji. Nnaji's directorial debut, "Lionheart," was selected as Nigeria's official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 92nd Academy Awards in 2020. Although the film was disqualified for having too much English dialogue, Nnaji received widespread praise for her work and brought attention to the growing Nigerian film industry.

In addition to these individual achievements, Nigerian artistes have also been involved in Oscar-winning films in various capacities. For example, Nigerian-born actor David Oyelowo starred in the critically acclaimed film "Selma," which was nominated for Best Picture at the 87th Academy Awards in 2015. Oyelowo's performance as civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. earned him widespread acclaim and helped to further establish his career in Hollywood.

Overall, Nigerian artistes continue to make their mark at the Academy Awards and contribute to the diversity and talent of the global film industry. As Nigeria's film industry continues to grow and gain recognition on the international stage, we can expect to see more Nigerian artistes participating in the Oscars and other prestigious awards ceremonies in the future.

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