Popular special effects artist James Akaie dies after explosion on movies set

The Nigerian film industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of renowned special effects artist, James Akaie, who died after sustaining severe injuries in an explosion at a movie location in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The tragic incident occurred during a filming session at a movie set where Akaie was reportedly working on special effects preparations.

The news of his death was confirmed on Friday by popular movie director and producer, James Abinibi, in an official statement shared on the RockBottom Flix Instagram page.

According to Abinibi, the explosion happened in a designated effects preparation area located outside the main filming set.

“During a filming session, a sudden and unexpected explosion occurred in a designated effects preparation area outside the film set,” the statement read. “James was experimenting with an unauthorised pyrotechnic stimulation involving a gas cylinder alongside his two assistants.”

Akaie was immediately rushed to the hospital after the explosion but later succumbed to his injuries despite medical intervention.

His two assistants, who were also affected by the blast, sustained varying degrees of fire burn injuries. They were taken to a specialist hospital, where they received prompt medical attention and are currently reported to be in stable condition while undergoing further treatment.

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The incident has raised fresh concerns about safety standards, authorisation procedures and the use of pyrotechnics on movie sets, particularly within the fast-growing but often under-regulated segments of Nigeria’s film industry.

James Akaie was widely known for his creativity and technical skill in special effects, contributing to several film productions and earning respect among colleagues for his dedication to his craft.

As of the time of filing this report, no official statement had been released by Ogun State emergency authorities or film regulatory bodies regarding investigations into the explosion.

Colleagues, filmmakers and fans have continued to pay tribute to the late artist on social media, describing his death as a painful loss to Nollywood and the broader creative industry.