Prosthetics, Dreams, and Divine Calling: Hakeem Effect Onilogbo's Mission to Revolutionize Nollywood SFX

Hakeem Effect Onilogbo, the multi-award-winning special effects makeup artist and CEO of Tricks International Limited, has spent over 2 decades quietly building the foundation for modern Nollywood visuals. From intricate battle wounds in historical epics like Jagun Jagun and Warlord to extreme character transformations, his work has given African cinema a new standard of on-screen realism.

From Actor to Transformer

Onilogbo’s journey into special effects began unexpectedly in 2003 when he was working as an actor. He realized his true passion lay not in performance, but in solving a problem he saw on set: the inadequacy of special effects. As a former painter who studied industrial signage under Remikaad Art production company , owned by Mr Aderemi Adesada free of charge. He recognized he had the visual and technical background to make a transformative impact. "I want to transform something," Onilogbo said, "and I want people to know that this is the person that transformed Nollywood in terms of special effect and makeup".

Even more unusually, Onilogbo claims he is largely self-taught, describing his learning process as "mystical" and a "divine calling." He recounts being taught the rudiments of special effects by a figure who repeatedly came to him in his dreams, compelling him to eventually quit acting and dedicate himself to the craft. His breakthrough work, which made the industry take him seriously, was a prosthetic transformation for the Christian movie Awo Jesu by Dr OreOfe Williams

The Grueling Process of Character Transformation

Onilogbo approaches historical projects like Lisabi and Warlord by first breaking down every character element: the age, history, injury, and environment. He then moves from sketching and design to discussion with the director, before finally sculpting and running the prosthetics. To keep historical films visually engaging, he deliberately mixes old elements (citing classics like Chief Hubert Ogunde's movies from the 70s and 80s) with modern technology, choosing to "exaggerate" elements so they don't look boring to a modern audience.

However, the most difficult work involves fictional characters, which requires removing all the actor’s original features. A simple aging job might take 30 minutes to an hour, but transforming an actor like Kola Kola Ajeyemi into a 170-year-old fictional character for Seven Doors involves sculpting, fabrication, and layering prosthetics, a tedious process that can take five to six hours. Onilogbo confirmed that Seven Doors was one of his most challenging projects, along with the as-yet-unreleased Jagun Jagun Part Two, which was so creatively draining he had to be on a drip while working on set.

The Pressure and the Engine Room of Film

Winning the AMVCA six consecutive times has cemented Onilogbo's reputation but has also created immense pressure "to work hard so that someone coming behind won't break the record". This success has also brought international recognition, including invitations from BBC Yoruba and BBC International.

He passionately asserts that special effects makeup is the "engine room of any film production" because it prevents audience fatigue. "We keep watching the same actor the same look every year... but due to the intervention of the special effect makeup artist, we are able to transform an actor into a different form which will make the film not to look boring".

A typical special effects day is grueling, starting with an overnight breakdown and preparation. The team is on set by 5 AM to begin makeup that can take hours. Crucially, the makeup artists are always the last to leave; after shooting wraps—sometimes as late as 10 PM—it takes another two to three hours to carefully remove the prosthetics and clean the actor.

Legacy and the Push for 100%

Onilogbo’s ultimate mission is to "bridge the gap between the western world... and West Africa". He confidently estimates that the Nollywood special effects industry is currently operating at 75% to 80% of the international standard, and he is working to reach 100%. His personal slogan, and that of his company, is to keep "stretching your imagination".

His advice to young, passionate creatives who feel limited by lack of training is clear: while divine calling worked for him, formal training is essential for others. Practicing or watching YouTube "cannot make you a pure and cure professional," as proper training teaches the right products and adherence to safety rules guiding against harming an actor's skin.

Onilogbo has just completed a "mindblowing" project by Lateef Adedimeji, which is expected to be released later this year.

The Pinch Network’s Commitment

The Pinch Network is dedicated to positioning the creative industry better and ensuring that professionals like Hakeem Effect Onilogbo receive the credit they deserve. To further solidify his story, the team expressed plans to partner with Onilogbo on an exclusive basis, aiming for a future physical, video interview conducted on set while he and his team are actively working on a project.