Nigeria: A Local Firm Develops Affordable Bionic Arms for Amputees

Edited By: Tendai Zola

A Nigerian company is breaking new ground in prosthetics with the development of a hyper-realistic bionic arm designed to meet the needs of amputees in Africa.

Immortal Cosmetic Art, founded by prosthetic artist John Amanam Sunday, has unveiled the Ubokobong Bionic Arm, a device that combines aesthetics and functionality. The arm operates through electromyography signals—electrical impulses sent from the brain to the muscles—allowing users to control movements naturally.

For many Nigerians, prosthetics remain either inaccessible or prohibitively expensive. The company hopes that with financial backing from the government or NGOs, the Ubokobong Bionic Arm will become affordable for ordinary citizens.

The idea emerged after Amanam’s younger brother, Ubokobong, lost his fingers to firecrackers six years ago. Struggling to find prosthetics that matched his skin tone, Amanam began designing hyper-realistic artificial limbs. With time, Ubokobong applied his knowledge in technology and electronics to transform the concept into a functional bionic arm.

Beyond Nigeria, orders have already come in from the United States, Britain, Australia and Ghana, highlighting growing global interest. “These bionic arms are not just static,” Amanam explained, “they are functional, human-like, and designed in black skin tones—a first of its kind.”

For users like Gift Usen, a 25-year-old cosmetologist born with only one functional hand, the innovation brings hope. “When we are launching, it will be my greatest happiness ever. Finally, I’ll have two hands,” she said.

Although no official launch date has been announced, the Ubokobong Bionic Arm represents a landmark innovation in African medical technology, created by Africans for Africans.