At the 2025 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), acclaimed special effects maestro Hakeem Onilogbo, popularly known as Hakeem Effect, took home the Best Makeup award for his transformative work on Lisabi: The Uprising.
Set during a turbulent era of resistance and rebellion, Lisabi: The Uprising required intense historical accuracy and dramatic visual storytelling—and the makeup played a central role. Onilogbo’s work went far beyond aesthetics; he created battle scars, weathered faces, tribal marks, and age transitions that brought authenticity and emotional depth to every scene. His attention to detail made each character look lived-in, hardened by the struggles of colonial resistance.
The win came against stiff competition, including his own entries for Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre and Seven Doors, both of which also showcased his signature special effects craftsmanship. Other contenders included Kpoudosu Winifred for Clarence Peters’ Inside Life, Tracy Izogie and Adeleke Toluwulashe Maigari for Suspicion, and Abejide Oluwatosin Mercy for Farmer’s Bride—each with commendable work in bringing their stories to life through makeup.
However, it was Onilogbo’s powerful execution in Lisabi: The Uprising that stood out. From realistic wounds to culturally accurate facial details, his makeup design added an unspoken layer of drama and believability that deeply resonated with viewers and judges alike.
