For Gift Usen, the prospect of wearing a prosthetic arm is nothing short of life-changing. Born 25 years ago in Akwa Ibom State, southern Nigeria, she has lived her entire life with only one fully developed hand.
“I grew up to see myself with one and a half hands. Most times I felt discouraged, but I had to encourage myself because this is how I saw it. I didn’t create myself,” said Usen, now a trained cosmetologist.
Like many Nigerians with limb loss, Usen has faced limited access to prosthetics. In the country, precise statistics on amputees remain unavailable, but the reality is that most prosthetic devices are either unavailable locally or priced far beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.
A Nigerian Solution to a Nigerian Challenge
Immortal Cosmetic Art, a prosthetics firm founded in Akwa Ibom, is working to change that narrative with the creation of the Ubokobong Bionic Arm. The device uses electromyography signals, which transmit messages from the brain to remaining hand muscles, allowing the wearer to move the prosthetic as if it were part of their body.
Unlike traditional prosthetics in Nigeria that are often purely aesthetic or static, the Ubokobong Bionic Arm is both functional and hyper-realistic, with a skin tone designed to blend seamlessly with Black users.
“Bionics are readily available in other parts of the world, but what we have here are hyper-real bionic forms, which means they look human-like and yet functional,” explained John Amanam Sunday, CEO of Immortal Cosmetic Art. “The most beautiful part of it is that it is black skin coloured. Built for Africans by Africans.”
From Personal Tragedy to Innovation
The idea behind the invention is deeply personal. Six years ago, Amanam’s younger brother, Ubokobong, lost several fingers in a firecracker accident during a New Year’s Eve celebration. His struggle to find prosthetics that matched his skin tone in Nigeria sparked the company’s creation.
At first, Amanam designed purely cosmetic prosthetics. But his brother’s frustration with their limitations inspired him to develop a functional alternative. With his background in technology and electronics, Ubokobong spent three years on intensive research and experimentation. The result was the bionic arm that now bears his name.
Orders Beyond Nigeria
Although not yet officially launched, the Ubokobong Bionic Arm has already generated interest both locally and internationally. According to Amanam, orders have come in from the United States, Britain, Australia, and Ghana. Still, the company hopes that government agencies and NGOs will provide support to ensure the product is affordable for everyday Nigerians who need it most.
A Dream Close to Reality
For Usen, the launch of the bionic arm represents more than a medical milestone—it is the fulfillment of a personal dream.
“When we are launching it will be my greatest happiness ever. Finally, I’ll have two hands. You know, maybe feel,” she said, her voice filled with anticipation.
Though Immortal Cosmetic Art has yet to announce an official release date, the innovation already signals a powerful shift: that Nigerians no longer have to look abroad for advanced prosthetics, and that hope can be built at home.