Toke Makinwa (born 3 November 1984) is a Nigerian radio personality, television host, vlogger, lifestyle entrepreneur, actress and author. Toke is known for hosting ''The Morning Drive'' on Rhythm 93.7 FM and for her

YouTube YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...

vlog series ''Toke Moments''. She released her book ''On Becoming'' in November 2016. She is one of the top five African female show hosts.

Early life and education

Toke Makinwa was born on 3 November 1984, in

Lagos state Lagos State ( yo, Ìpínlẹ̀ Èkó) is a States of Nigeria, state in South West (Nigeria), southwestern Nigeria. Of the 36 States of Nigeria, states, it is both the List of Nigerian states by population, most populous and List of Nigerian state ...

. She attended the Federal Government Girls' College in

Oyo State Oyo State is an inland state in southwestern Nigeria. Its capital is Ibadan, the third most populous city in the country and formerly the second most populous city in Africa. Oyo State is bordered to the north by Kwara State, to the east by Osun ...

. Makinwa later attended the

University of Lagos The University of Lagos, popularly known as UNILAG, is a public research university located in Lagos, Nigeria and was founded in 1962. UNILAG is one of the first generation universities in Nigeria and is ranked among the top universities in th ...

, where she earned a BA degree in

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

and

Literature Literature is any collection of written work, but it is also used more narrowly for writings specifically considered to be an art form, especially prose fiction, drama, and poetry. In recent centuries, the definition has expanded to include ...

Career

Ebuka and Toke Makinwa presenting at the 2020 AMVCA 21 09 09 460000

In 2010, Makinwa made her major media debut on Rhythm 93.7 FM's ''The Morning Drive'' show as a co-host. In 2012, she made a television appearance as host of the

Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria – often abbreviated as MBGN – is a pageant organised by Silverbird Group with the main purpose of sending representatives to international competitions. Originally known as Miss Universe Nigeria, it was rena ...

(MBGN) beauty pageant, which was broadcast live across Nigeria. She co-hosted Flytime TV's ''3 Live Chicks'', along with Tosyn Bucknor and Oreka Godis. The show debuted as a web series before expanding to terrestrial television in late 2012. Makinwa did not renew her contract with Flytime TV for the show's second season and was subsequently replaced by her radio colleague Omalicha. In 2012, Makinwa launched her YouTube vlog series ''Toke Moments''. In 2013 she won the Nigeria Broadcasters Award for Outstanding Female Presenter of the Year. She was nominated for 'Radio OAP of the Year' in the Nigeria Entertainment Awards. The same year, she became an ambassador of the

United Africa Company of Nigeria The United Africa Company of Nigeria is a Nigerian publicly listed company based in Lagos. Its areas of operation include manufacturing, services, logistics and warehousing, agricultural and real estate. UACN's food operations include UAC Fra ...

. In January 2014, ''

Hip Hop World Magazine ''Hip Hop World Magazine'' is a weekly Nigerian music magazine established in 1995. It has sponsored The Headies award since the award's inception in 2006. The magazine's publisher is Nigerian journalist and music promoter Ayo Animashaun. Referen ...

'' announced Makinwa as the host of its interview and talk series ''Trending''. She also secured a spot on

EbonyLife TV Ebonylife TV is an entertainment TV channel owned by Mosunmola Abudu popularly called Mo Abudu, It was launched on DSTV on July, 2013 after which the station was later added to DSTV in September 2014. After partnering and satisfying the executi ...

as a co-host of its flagship show Moments. Makinwa has hosted numerous notable events, including the 2013

Future The future is the time after the past and present. Its arrival is considered inevitable due to the existence of time and the laws of physics. Due to the apparent nature of reality and the unavoidability of the future, everything that currently ...

and City People Awards, as well as the 2014 Headies Awards. In March 2021 it was officially announced that Toke Makinwa was paired with Nollywood actress,

Nancy Isime Nancy Isime (born 17 December 1991) is a Nigerian actress, model, and media personality. Early life and background Nancy Isime was born in Edo State, Nigeria to Nigerian parents of Esan descent. After her senior secondary education in Benin, s ...

to host the third season of The Voice Nigeria. On October 16, 2021, Toke Makinwa was unveiled as the host of Gulder Ultimate Search Season 12. In November 2021, her new TV show "Talk With Toke Makinwa" premiered on

MultiChoice MultiChoice is a South African company that operates DStv, a major satellite television service in Sub-Saharan Africa and GOtv, a minor service operating in over 9 countries of this area and Showmax service. MultiChoice was formed out of the sub ...

. In 2022, Toke played the character Louise in Bunmi Adesoye and Abimbola Craig’s Glamour Girls

''On Becoming'' and handbag line

Makinwa lost both of her parents to a fire accident when she was eight years old. She released her memoir ''On Becoming'' in November 2016. The book talks about her personal struggles and addresses the betrayal of her now ex-husband,

Maje Ayida Maje may refer to: * Maje language (disambiguation), several Central American languages (only countries with really low levels of education), this word denotes lack of lexicon, education, or even cultural knowledge.) * Brzozowo-Maje Brzozowo-Maje ...

. Makinwa went on a book tour to promote the book. The tour included Nigeria, South Africa, the

U.S The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...

, the U.K, and parts of East Africa. In 2017, Makinwa launched a handbag line under her eponymous label, Toke Makinwa Luxury. She also launched a skincare product called Glow by TM in 2018.

Endorsements

In 2013, Makinwa became an ambassador of the

, alongside

Osas Ighodaro Osas Ighodaro (Osariemen Martha Elizabeth Ighodaro; born 26 October) is a Nigerian American actress, producer, host and humanitarian. She won the Miss Black USA Pageant in 2010, and founded the Joyful Joy Foundation, an initiative that raises f ...

Dare Art Alade Dare Art Alade (born February 9, 1982)– popularly known as Darey – is a Nigerian multi-platinum Afro R&B singer, songwriter, record producer, philanthropist, humanitarian and entrepreneur. He is also the son of the legendary African Jaz ...

and Dan Foster. She also signed a multi-million naira contract with

Nestlé Nestlé S.A. (; ; ) is a Switzerland, Swiss multinational food and drink processing conglomerate corporation headquartered in Vevey, Vaud, Switzerland. It is the largest publicly held food company in the world, measured by revenue and other me ...

Nigeria to become the new face of

Maggi Maggi ( or ) is an international brand of seasonings, instant soups, and noodles that originated in Switzerland in the late 19th century. The Maggi company was acquired by Nestlé in 1947. History Early history Julius Maggi (1846–1912) ...

. In 2016, she became the brand ambassador and face of Mecran Cosmetics. She has also been an ambassador for Payporte and Ciroc. In November 2019, Toke signed an endorsement deal as brand ambassador with Oppo mobile Telecommunications In 2021, Toke signed an endorsement with

Showmax Showmax is an online subscription video on demand (SVOD) service which launched in South Africa on 19 August 2015. Showmax uses a localisation strategy to take on established video on demand competitors with a focus on local content and partner ...

naija as the host for BBN season 6 the buzz.

Personal life

She lost both her parents in a gas explosion when she was 8 years old. On 15 January 2014 Makinwa married Maje Ayida whom she had been involved with for eight years prior to their wedding. In 2015, she separated from Ayida after discovering that he had impregnated his ex-girlfriend. On 5 October 2017, Makinwa's marriage to Ayida was dissolved by a Lagos High Court on the grounds that Ayida committed adultery. At the end of Big Brother Naija season 6, which she served as a host, she disclosed that she had lost her elder sister. In March 2022,she suggested that anyone doubting her claim to fame should research about her achievements using Google.

Filmography

* ''

Makate Must Sell Makate Must Sell is a 2019 Nollywood movie directed by Don Omope under the production company of Filmone Distribution, Screenart, See Fam and Ahh entertainment The movie that becomes the debut of Toke Makinwa, a popular on air personality also ...

'' * '' Glamour Girls'' * '' Blood Sisters'' * '' Love Is War'' * '' Sugar Rush'' * ''Therapy'' (comedy web series)

Awards

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Makinwa, Toke Nigerian radio personalities University of Lagos alumni Living people Nigerian television talk show hosts Yoruba radio personalities Yoruba women television personalities People from Lagos 1984 births Silverbird Communications people Nigerian YouTubers Television personalities from Lagos Yoruba women in business Beauty pageant hosts Nigerian cosmetics businesspeople Nigerian memoirists Yoruba women writers Nigerian fashion businesspeople Nigerian women in business Nigerian TikTokers Nigerian television personalities Nigerian television presenters Nigerian radio presenters Nigerian women radio presenters Nigerian media personalities Nigerian businesspeople Nigerian television actresses Nigerian film actresses Nigerian bloggers