A prosthetic developed in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, is now being used by clients in 56 countries, bringing Nigerian innovation into the global spotlight. The Ubokobong Bionic Arm, created by Immortal Cosmetic Art, earned a place on TIME magazine’s Best Inventions of 2026 list, published on October 15, under the accessibility category.
Behind the invention are brothers Ubokobong and John Amanam, whose work grew from a personal experience into an effort to address the needs of amputees often overlooked in prosthetic design.
Their journey began with an accident on New Year’s Day in 2019, when Ubokobong lost his fingers in a fireworks accident in Nigeria. He subsequently struggled to find a prosthetic that matched his dark skin tone, exposing a gap in the available options and prompting the search for a more natural-looking alternative.
John, a special-effects artist with a background in technology and electronics, drew on his artistic expertise to create a hyperrealistic hand for his brother. What began as a personal project eventually developed into a bigger enterprise, leading the brothers to establish Immortal Cosmetic Art to produce lifelike prosthetics for other Black amputees.
Their work evolved into the Ubokobong Bionic Arm, which combines realistic appearance with practical functionality. Unlike purely cosmetic replacements, the device uses myoelectric technology, allowing muscle signals to control its movements. The development required approximately three years of research.
John Amanam, the company’s chief executive, described the invention as a prosthetic built for Africans by Africans, reflecting the brothers’ determination to develop solutions informed by the experiences and needs of the people they serve.
The device’s reach across 56 countries points to a demand that extends well beyond Nigeria. It also highlights the potential of Nigerian ingenuity to contribute to a global field where affordability, accessibility and the needs of diverse users remain important considerations.
The development of locally made prosthetics reflects the capacity of Nigerian innovation to respond to real challenges facing people at home. By creating alternatives informed by the needs of Nigerian amputees, homegrown innovators are opening new possibilities for improved mobility, independence and confidence. Expanding the production and reach of these solutions could bring life-changing technology within the reach of more people, while strengthening Nigeria’s contribution to advances in assistive technology.
The brothers’ work also draws attention to an aspect of prosthetic design that goes beyond physical function. Appearance can influence how comfortable users feel wearing an artificial limb, particularly when available products do not adequately reflect their skin tones. By combining technical functionality with lifelike design, the Amanams have pursued an approach shaped by a need they encountered firsthand.
TIME’s recognition places their achievement among the magazine’s notable inventions of 2026, bringing international attention to a Nigerian company developing assistive technology for an underserved market.
From an accident in 2019 to an invention recognised on the global stage, the Ubokobong Bionic Arm demonstrates how a personal challenge can inspire a solution with international relevance. The Amanam brothers have turned an experience that exposed a gap in available technology into an enterprise contributing to the advancement of prosthetics, adding another example of Nigerian creativity addressing practical human needs.
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