The Story of Professor Peller – Nigeria’s Greatest Magician

When you think about magic in Africa, one name immediately comes to mind — Professor Peller. Born Moshood Abiola Peller in 1941 in Iseyin, a town in Oyo State, Nigeria, he was one of the most famous magicians and illusionists in Nigeria and Africa at large. Growing up, he was fondly called Moshood Olori Pupa which means “Moshood the Red-Headed Boy”.

Professor Peller started practicing magic back in the 1950s and later traveled to India and other parts of the world to learn more about the art of illusion. When he returned to Nigeria, he completely changed the face of stage entertainment, pulling massive crowds wherever he performed.

By the 1970s and 80s, Professor Peller the magician had become a true household name, amazing audiences with jaw-dropping tricks like disappearing acts, levitation, and even mind reading. What really made him stand out was not just the magic itself, but his charm, mystery, and the colorful costumes that turned every show into an unforgettable experience.

Although some people believed his magic was connected to the occult and dark powers because of how mysterious his shows were, but Professor Peller always explained that his tricks were purely science and illusion, not supernatural powers. Sadly, his brilliant career came to an end on August 2, 1997, when he was assassinated while observing prayers.

The reason for his assassination remains unclear, but his wife, Alhaja Silifat Abiola Peller (popularly known as Lady Peller), during an interview with BBC revealed that the assassination of her husband was possible because of the personal information he leaked to the media after a performance.

She said, “the media knows how to ask questions that can make one say things he ought not to say. He was asked by the media to reveal the particular time he could be found without his powers. He told them that he could only be found without his powers when he’s observing the Islamic prayers. That’s what Professor Peller said that led to his fall.”

Lady Peller was born in Kishi, Oyo State. She and Professor Peller had five children together, while also raising several stepchildren. One of their children, Shina Peller, is a popular socialite and Nigerian politician.

Even after his death, it is not certain that his records have been broken by other magicians in Africa. He performed in almost every country in Africa. Here is how a professor of psychiatry at the University of Birmingham, Femi Oyebode, described Professor Peller and one of his shows in 1972 at the George V stadium in Lagos, now known as Onikan Stadium.

“My last ever visit to the stadium was to see Professor Peller, a magician, and said to be a member of the Magic Circle take on the last of our traditional magicians whose name now escapes me (itself a significant fact). Professor Peller was dressed in black tails, a top hat, a wand in one hand, black shoes and well-cut hair. He was a perfect picture of debonair gentleman and was assisted by an attractive young woman.”

“He flicked his white handkerchief, and a white dove flew out. He pulled at his cuff links and flowers bloomed under his command. He was confident, majestic. He was suave and graceful. He levitated his assistant. He cut her in two without drawing blood. He locked her in a cupboard, chained up several times over yet she disappeared! It was a masterly performance.”

“The crowd clapped, hooped. We were seduced against our better judgment. We wished desperately that the traditional magician would enthrall and endear us to his magic, the mysteries of African magic. We were disappointed or shall I say that I was disappointed. When he came on stage dressed only in a loincloth of indeterminate color, you could hear the audience gasp aloud. Was this African magic? This crude, little thin man who seemed recently woken from the dead?”

“He swallowed a stone and turned his backside to us, slipping his loincloth to one side and excreted the stone. Awfulness and shame. He submitted his abdomen to a sharp sword to be sliced open. But by now, the absence of razzmatazz and of finesse had turned us against him. The crowd poured through the gates. That was how disgusted we were. You can say that at George V stadium, in early adulthood I lost two of my childhood dreams.”

Another popular performance by Professor Peller where he sliced his wife into two and joined her back had people amazed. It was at the National Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos State and the then Lagos State Governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, was present at the occasion to represent Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

The event started as planned but then the Peller team decided to throw in a suspense-filled event. The essence was to create so much suspense so that they will draw in even more crowd by the next day.

So, for day one, the idea was to create an illusion that he ran into trouble while sawing his wife in half. But then, the next step involved reviving her. After the cutting, which was obviously done with a lot of dramatic effects, the crowd went into a frenzy and began to shout, ‘We want Lady Peller!’, ‘Give us Lady Peller!’.

Professor Peller remained the greatest magician in the history of Nigeria and Africa. Many Nigerians believe that magic in Nigeria died along with him.

Thanks for reading, OldNaija.com

References:

1. Anthony. (2023, May 5). Professor Peller: Not every information about you is for public consumption! The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/professor-peller-not-every-information-about-you-is-for-public-consumption/
2. Omipidan, T. (2025, August 25). Complete Timeline of Nigerian History: Pre-Colonial era till date – OldNaija. OldNaija. https://oldnaija.com/2025/08/22/complete-timeline-of-nigerian-history/
3. Olaniyi, O. (2022, September 24). Don recalls late Peller’s magic acts at remembrance. Punch Newspapers. https://punchng.com/don-recalls-late-pellers-magic-acts-at-remembrance/