Toke Makinwa is one of Nigeria’s most popular media IT girls. Over the years, she has featured in vlogs, TV and radio shows, and even several Nollywood films. Thanks to her role in the Nigerian media space, she has received plenty of attention, and this attention also comes with challenges, as Toke Makinwa has also been at the center of her fair share of scandals.
Read on for everything we know about Toke Makinwa, from her parents and siblings to her career and the one-year-old daughter, Yakira Eliana, who is by far the biggest bright cherry on top.
Toke Makinwa: Parents and Early Life
Behind the success and big personality fans have come to see today, Toke Makinwa is an ambitious orphan who overcame the odds to make her mark in the Nigerian media space and build one of the industry’s most successful careers. Toke Makinwa’s parents are Mr Caleb Ifemayowa Makinwa and Mrs Modupe Monica Makinwa. She lost both of her parents in a gas explosion that caused a house fire when she was eight years old.
Along with her good looks and eloquence, she is a strong, stern presence on social media, which also serves as a source of income and fun for her.
Toke Makinwa’s Daughter: Yakira Eliana
The best-selling author once revealed that her mother had four kids in her early thirties. In the past, she has also shared her desires and struggles to conceive and have kids, including several failed IVF attempts. After a time off from social media in 2025, Toke Makinwa surprised fans with a maternity shoot on August 13, 2025, followed by a baby shopping spree that included diamonds and designer pieces. She later welcomed her baby girl, Yakira Eliana, on August 28, 2025.
Toke Makinwa’s Ex-Husband: Maje Ayida
Toke married the popular fitness instructor Maje Ayida from 2014 to 2017. The marriage was short-lived because of infidelity. When asked whether she was open to having kids without getting married, Toke said she did not want to have children outside of marriage. She added that she wants to give them the life she never had growing up.
Toke Makinwa: Biography
Full Name: Omotoke Makinwa
Name: Toke Makinwa
Nickname: Tokstar, TM, Mummy Yaya
Birth Date: November 3, 1984
Parents: Mr. Caleb Ifemayowa Makinwa & Mrs. Modupe Monica Makinwa
Siblings:
- Ronke Makinwa — sister
- Opeyemi “Ope” Makinwa / Lady Ope Makinwa
- Toke Makinwa — sister
- Busayo Makinwa — sister
- Olufemi Makinwa
Children: Yakira Eliana (Yaya)
Spouse: Maje Ayida (m. 2014 – divorced 2017)
State of Origin: Ondo State
Hometown: Idanre
School: Federal Government Girls’ College in Oyo State
University: Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Literature from the University of Lagos.
Toke Makinwa: Net Worth and Source Of Income
Toke Makinwa’s net worth is estimated at approximately $2.5 million, or about 3.5 billion naira.
From luxurious trips to designer clothes to beautiful homes, it makes sense to wonder how Toke and other media personalities earn from social media influencing and other gigs. For Personalities like Toke, who have impeccable talent and high engagement on social media, we can say they earn a lot!
Some means of income for Toke include:
- Endorsement deals from brands like Pepsi, Samsung Galaxy, and Oppo Mobile.
- Ad sales on YouTube with over 120, 000 subscribers
- Appearances
- Hosting fees for shows like Golden Ultimate Search, BBNaija
- Influencing brands and products like MultiChoice Show Max.
- Sponsorship for her many talk shows. These include Talk with Toke Makinwa, Toke Moments, etc.
- She is a well-known radio presenter.
- Gifts and favors for celebrities like her: fans and admirers usually provide an endless supply.
- Movies roles
- Toke’s business ventures, such as Glow by TM, which launched in 2018.
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Toke Makinwa: Movies and TV
Over the years, Toke has featured in several movies, playing both lead and supporting roles. Some of the most popular films that featured Toke include Love is War and Makate Must Sell. Other Toke Makinwa movies are:
- Blood sister
- Omo Ghetto
- Sugar Rush
- Therapy (comedy web series) with Falz the bad guy
- Glamour Girls
Toke Makinwa’s Business And Projects
Besides influencing gigs, hosting gigs, and television appearances, Toke has dipped her hands into some of the most lucrative businesses. Makinwa has made a name for herself in the luxury and beauty industry.
Some of her most lucrative businesses are:
- Beauty: TM Beauty
- Skincare: Glow by TM
- Luxury accessories: Toke Makinwa Luxury
Toke Makinwa’s book: On Becoming
Some might argue she got her big break after publishing her book, Unbecoming. Her book talked about her childhood and losing her parents at the tender age of 8. In her bestselling memoir, she shared:
“In the movies, you sometimes see a scene with someone burning from head to toe, screaming and trying to fight the flames. It happened right in front of me. Everyone ran back, trying to figure out who it was and how to put out the flames, shouting advice from a safe distance. It took me a moment to realize that it was my mum. I stood glued to the spot, watching her burn… Even after they were driven to the hospital, I could still smell it.”
The best-selling memoir revealed some of the most painful experiences she endured throughout her life. However, the most controversial and most talked-about part of the book was the sad details of her marriage to fitness instructor Maje. Her marriage to Maje Ayida was the talk of the town and a joke for many Nigerian comedians.
Toke Makinwa: Media career
Toke Makinwa started her media career in radio before transitioning to TV with a job at Ebonylife, and then to YouTube.
The Morning Drive
Toke debuted on the airwaves on Rhythm 93.7 FM in 2010 as a co-host in 2010 on “The Morning Drive.” Other popular co-hosts of The Morning Drive are Nanya Diali and DJ Smooth. Soon she transitioned to hosting The Late Morning Show.
Moments
Moments was one of the most polarising talk shows during its run on Ebony Life TV. She co-hosted the show with Bolanle Olukanni and Tallulah Doherty. Toke joined Moments in 2014 and left in 2016. They interviewed many celebrities on Moments and shared many personal experiences.
Toke Moments
Toke Moments premieredon her YouTube channel in 2022, and since its inception, she has hosted several Nigerian celebrities who discuss love, life, careers, and relationships. Some celebrities who have graced her show include Dorcas Shola Fabson, Denrele, Dabota Lawson, Lilian Afegbai, and many more.
Talk With Toke Makinwa
The first season of Talk With Toke Makinwa premiered on one of Africa’s biggest talk shows. Tokstar welcomed a lineup of A-list celebrities across Africa who talked about life and career. Some of her guests, like Zari the Boss Lady and former BBN stars Tacha, Mercy, and Bisola, addressed controversy and talked about their childhoods.
The Buzz
Over the years, Toke Makinwa occasionally co-hosted the Big Brother Naija final show alongside Ebuka Obi-Uchendu; however, she launched The Buzz on Showmax in August 2021.
The Buzz is an interactive talk show that runs alongside the Big Brother Naija television show. Toke started The Buzz with Shine Ya Eye and returned during the BBN Level season,
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Awards And Recognition
The talented media personality has gained recognition for her talents. These talents include presenting, acting, hosting, and her style. They nominated for the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, The Future Awards, and African Entertainment Awards USA.
Although she lost these to her talented colleagues, such as Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Yaw of Wazobia FM (famous for his role in Flatmates), and Denrele, she still has more than a few fancy awards to her name.
The Nigerian radio personality has also swept several awards, including:
- Glitz Awards: Style Influencer of the Year 2017
- Media: Most Influential Young Nigerian in Media 2017
- Africa Youth Award: 100 Most Influential Young Africans 2018
- ELOY Awards: Innovative Beauty Practitioner of the Year 2020
- Net Honors: Most Popular Media Personality (Female) 2020
- Net Honors: Most Popular Media Personality (Female).2021
Toke Makinwa’s Fashion
Toke is one of Nigeria’s most fashionable actresses and media personalities. Toke Makinwa is known for her dress sense, evident in her collection of luxury clothes, shoes, and bags from local and international designers, including high-end brands like Dior, Chanel, and Weiz Dhurm Franklyn.
Mariam Emily Adama is a copywriter, SEO strategist, and digital marketer passionate about using words to inform, inspire, and influence. With over seven years of experience writing for global brands and managing digital campaigns, she brings a data-driven yet creative approach to content creation. When she’s not writing or analyzing trends, Mariam enjoys exploring new cultures, reading, and documenting stories that celebrate African excellence.