Meet Toke Makinwa, a renowned Nigerian media personality, author, and entrepreneur, born on November 3, 1984, in Lagos State. Toke Makinwa has made a name for herself as a radio and television host, fashion and beauty influencer, and content creator. She first gained prominence as a co-host on Rhythm 93.7 FM’s “The Morning Drive” and later hosted several high-profile events, including the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) beauty pageant. Toke expanded her career into acting, starring in films like “Glamour Girls” (2022), showcasing her versatility.
Wiki
Full Name: Toke Makinwa
Date of Birth: November 3, 1984
Place of Birth: Lagos State
Origin: Lagos State
Nationality: Nigerian
Profession: Actress, TV Host, TV Presenter, Vlogger, Entrepreneur
Notable Movie(s): Glamour Girls, Blood Sisters, Sugar Hush
Net Worth: $1.5 Million
Early Life & Career
Toke Makinwa’s journey began in Lagos, where she was born on November 3, 1984 as the second of four children. Her childhood, however, was marked by tragedy, as she lost both her parents in a devastating fire accident at the tender age of eight. Following this loss, she was raised by Mr. and Mrs. Akinyelure, who provided her with the support and foundation she needed to thrive.
Toke attended the prestigious Federal Government Girls’ College in Oyo State for her secondary education, where she displayed a passion for communication and storytelling. She later pursued higher education at the University of Lagos, earning a Bachelor’s degree in English and Literature. This academic background laid the groundwork for her eloquence and prowess as a media personality.
Toke’s foray into the media world began in 2010 when she became a co-host of “The Morning Drive” on Rhythm 93.7 FM. Her engaging voice and magnetic personality quickly set her apart, and she became a beloved figure on Nigerian radio. In 2012, Toke ventured into television, making her debut as the host of the “Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN” pageant, a live event broadcast across the country.
She further expanded her presence in the entertainment industry by co-hosting the show “3 Live Chicks” alongside Tosyn Bucknor and Oreka Godis. Originally launched as a web series, the show transitioned to television and gained a devoted audience. That same year, Toke launched her YouTube vlog series “Toke Moments”, where she shared relatable and humorous takes on life, relationships, and personal growth. This vlog became a sensation, cementing her status as a digital media pioneer in Nigeria.
In 2013, Toke received widespread recognition when she won the Nigeria Broadcasters Award for Outstanding Female Presenter of the Year. She was also nominated for Radio OAP of the Year at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards. Her talent and growing influence caught the attention of major brands, leading to her appointment as an ambassador for the United Africa Company of Nigeria.
Toke’s career continued to flourish as she took on more prominent roles. In 2014, she hosted “Trending”, an interview and talk show on Hip Hop World Magazine. She also joined EbonyLife TV as a co-host of its flagship program, “Moments”. Over the years, Toke has hosted numerous high-profile events, including “The Future Awards Africa” in 2013, “The Headies” in 2014, and “The Voice Nigeria” in 2021, where she was paired with actress Nancy Isime. In October 2021, she hosted “Gulder Ultimate Search Season 12”, and later that year, her television show “Talk With Toke Makinwa premiered on MultiChoice. Her acting debut came in 2022 when she starred as Louise in the film “Glamour Girls”
In addition to her media career, Toke has made significant strides as an entrepreneur. In 2017, she launched her handbag line, “Toke Makinwa Luxury”, offering exquisite and stylish designs. A year later, she expanded her brand with the launch of Glow by TM, a skincare line that promotes radiant and healthy skin.
In November 2016, Toke published her memoir, “On Becoming”, a deeply personal account of her struggles, triumphs, and experiences, including her tumultuous marriage and eventual divorce from her ex-husband, Maje Ayida. The book resonated with readers for its raw honesty and vulnerability, earning widespread acclaim. Toke embarked on an international book tour to promote “On Becoming”, visiting countries such as Nigeria, the United Kingdom, South Africa, the United States, and parts of East Africa.
Toke’s influence and appeal have made her a sought-after brand ambassador. In 2013, she became an ambassador for the United Africa Company of Nigeria and later signed endorsement deals with global and local brands, including Maggi, Mecran Cosmetics, Payporte, and Ciroc. In 2019, she partnered with Oppo Mobile Telecommunications as a brand ambassador. In 2021, she signed a deal with Showmax Naija as the host of “Big Brother Naija Season 6: The Buzz”.
Controversy
Despite her success, Toke has faced occasional criticism and public scrutiny. In 2023, she attracted backlash on social media for her tweet about attending the COP28 climate change conference in Dubai. Nigerians questioned her role at the event and its relevance to her career. Nevertheless, Toke remained unapologetic, emphasizing the importance of bringing global leaders and advocates together to address climate change.
Notable Movies
Glamour Girls (2022) – Louise
Blood Sisters (2022) – Abasiama
Omo Ghetto: The Saga (2020) – Tina
Love Is War (2019) – Yinka the Reporter
Sugar Rush (2019) – Gina
Makate Must Sell (2019) – Ricky
Therapy (comedy web series)
Awards & Nominations
Toke Makinwa’s illustrious career has been marked by numerous awards and accolades, cementing her reputation as one of Nigeria’s most influential media personalities.
In 2013, she won the Outstanding Female Presenter of the Year at the Nigeria Broadcasters Awards, and in 2014, she earned a nomination as the Favourite Nigerian On-Air Personality at the Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards. Her influence in media and style was further recognized in 2017 when she won the Most Influential Young Nigerian in Media at the Avance Media Awards and the Style Influencer of the Year at the Glitz Awards.
In 2018, she was listed among the 100 Most Influential Young Africans at the African Youth Awards. Her achievements continued in 2020 with wins at the NET Honours Awards, where she was named the Most Searched Media Personality and Most Popular Media Personality (Female), alongside the ELOY Award for Innovative Beauty Practitioner of the Year.
In 2021, she won the NET Honours Award for Most Popular Media Personality (Female) for the second consecutive year and was nominated for Media Personality of the Year at the African Entertainment Awards USA.
Social Media
Beyond her awards, Toke has a massive social media following, boasting over 5.6 million Instagram followers (@tokemakinwa) and 1.2 million on Twitter (@tokstarr).
Personal Life
On a personal note, she faced challenges in her private life, separating from her husband, Maje Ayida, in 2015 after discovering his infidelity, with their marriage formally dissolved in 2017.
Net Worth
Despite these setbacks, Toke’s resilience and success have contributed to her estimated net worth of $1.5 million.
