True to expectations, celebrated Nigerian international actor Chiwetel Ejiofor has been nominated for an Oscar on account of his superlative performance in the rave of the moment, “12 Years a Slave”.

Ejiofor, who is based in Britain and equally holds British nationality, is nominated as Best Actor, according to a story just breaking in the online edition of on New York Times. He will fight for the coveted title alongside Christian Bale, “American Hustle”; Bruce Dern, “Nebraska”; Leonardo DiCaprio, “The Wolf of Wall Street”; and Matthew McConaughey, “Dallas Buyers Club”.

Ejiofor, who remains very proud of his Nigerian roots, is one the attractions in the hit movie “Half of a Yellow Sun” an adaptation of Chimamanda Adichie’s novel of the same title by Biyi Bandele.

“12 Years a Slave” has scooped nine nominations for the 86th annual Academy Awards – one less than the comedic drama “American Hustle” and the space adventure “Gravity”.

A PARTIAL LIST OF NOMINEES

Best Picture

“American Hustle”

“Captain Phillips”

“Dallas Buyers Club”

“Gravity”

“Her”

“Nebraska”

“Philomena”

“12 Years a Slave”

“The Wolf of Wall Street”

Best Actor

Christian Bale, “American Hustle”

Bruce Dern, “Nebraska”

Leonardo DiCaprio, “The Wolf of Wall Street”

Chiwetel Ejiofor, “12 Years a Slave”

Matthew McConaughey, “Dallas Buyers Club”

Best Actress

Amy Adams, “American Hustle”

Cate Blanchett, “Blue Jasmine”

Sandra Bullock, “Gravity”

Judi Dench, “Philomena”

Meryl Streep, “August: Osage County”

Best Supporting Actor

Barkhad Abdi, “Captain Phillips”

Bradley Cooper, “American Hustle”

Michael Fassbender, “12 Years a Slave”

Jonah Hill, “The Wolf of Wall Street”

Jared Leto, “Dallas Buyers Club”

Best Supporting Actress

Sally Hawkins, “Blue Jasmine”

Jennifer Lawrence, “American Hustle”

Lupita Nyong’o, “12 Years a Slave”

Julia Roberts, “August: Osage County”

June Squibb, “Nebraska”

Best Director

David O. Russell, “American Hustle”

Alfonso Cuarón, “Gravity”

Alexander Payne, “Nebraska”

Steve McQueen, “12 Years a Slave”

Martin Scorsese, “The Wolf of Wall Street”

•Photo shows Chiwetel Ejiofor in “12 Years a Slave”.

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