5 times Hakeem Effects transformed Nollywood stars with unbelievable skills

• Hakeem Effects is a special effects and make-up artist known for his exceptional skills in transforming Nollywood stars into their characters
•  His works have earned him multiple awards and recognition within the industry, solidifying his position as one of Nollywood's most talented makeup artists
• TheRadar curated five of his works on numerous blockbuster films, including Lasabi, Seven Doors, and others

Hakeem Onilogbo Ajibola, popularly known as Hakeem Effects, is a visionary Nollywood makeup artist renowned for his special effects skills. With a storied career spanning numerous blockbuster films, Hakeem has solidified his position as a master of his craft. 

As the founder of Tricks International, he has had the privilege of working on many high-profile projects, including the critically acclaimed films Anikulapo, Seven Doors, Lisabi and many more. 

Hakeem's impressive body of work has earned him multiple awards and accolades. From winning the 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards for best makeup artist to 2018, 2023, and 2024, he has permanently fixed his reputation as one of the industry's best. His makeup skills are incredibly versatile, ranging from subtle enhancements to dramatic transformations that leave audiences in awe. 

In a recent interview at Morning Brief on Channels TV, Nollywood actor and producer Femi Adebayo testified to his prowess when asked about some scenes in his newly released series Seven Doors. He stated: “Hakeem Effects is a fantastic guy. The guy is a genius. Hakeem is an asset to the nation that needs to be celebrated and the fantastic thing is that he did not go to school to learn it.”

His meticulous attention to detail and creativity have consistently raised the bar for makeup artistry in Nollywood.

5 most iconic transformations of Hakeem Effects

Here are five of Hakeem Effects' most notable makeup transformations that showcase his exceptional talent:

1. Anikulapo: Two-headed Creature

Hakeem's work on this film, Anikulapo, showcases his ability to create intricate, culturally inspired designs that transport audiences to new worlds. The movie, produced by Kunle Afolayan and featuring a two-headed boy, has been a topic of discussion among Nigerians, with many praising Hakeem's exceptional makeup skills.

2. She Must Be Obeyed: Siyanbola 

In She Must Be Obeyed, Hakeem demonstrated his skill in crafting subtle, nuanced makeup looks that enhance the actors' performances without overpowering them. Funke Akindele's bald look in the movie left many viewers wondering if she had shaved her head for the role.

3. Seven Doors: King Adejuwon

Seven Doors, the 2024 Nigerian epic limited series produced by Femi Adebayo and distributed by Netflix, showcased Hakeem's expertise in creating an eerie, suspenseful atmosphere through his makeup designs. His work on King Adejuwon's character, played by Kolawole Ajeyemi was particularly impressive, adding depth and tension to the narrative.

4. Seven Doors: Esusu

In this blockbuster film, Hakeem pushed the boundaries of makeup artistry, creating bold, vibrant designs that brought the characters to life in a way that was both authentic and captivating. Aliu Gafar's transformation into Esusu was particularly impressive.

5. Lisabi:  Sangodeyi

Hakeem's work on Songodeyi's character in this historical drama film Lisabi was exceptional. The film, directed by Niyi Akinmolayan and produced by Adebimpe Oyebade and Victoria Akujobi, tells the story of Lisabi Agbongbo-Akala, a farmer driven to vengeance after witnessing the brutal killing of his close friend. The notable aspect of Hakeem's work in "Lisabi" is the beheading scene of Songodeyi(Ibrahim Chatta), which was both shocking and impressive. The special effects created the illusion of decapitation were seamless, making the scene look disturbingly real. 

Through his work, Hakeem Effects continues to inspire and elevate the art of makeup in Nollywood, solidifying his position as one of the industry's most talented and innovative artists.

“AMVCA, we are watching,” Netizens hail Ibrahim Chatta for performance in new ‘Lisabi’ film

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that barely 24 hours after Lateef Adedimeji’s film Lisabi: The Uprising got on Netflix, netizens shared their thoughts on actor Ibrahim Chatta's performance. 

Known for his popular roles as a powerful traditionalist in epic films, Ibrahim Chatta buzzed on social media for his character in Lisabi, with netizens sharing what they loved about it, while some called on the AMVCA to consider his performance for an award.