Toke Makinwa (born 3 November 1984) is a Nigerian radio personality, television host,vlogger, entrepreneur, actress, author, and fashion influencer.[4][5][6][7][8][9] Makinwa is known for hostingThe Late Morning Show onRhythm 93.7 FM and for her YouTube vlog seriesToke Moments.[10][11] She released her bookOn Becoming in November 2016, and is one of the top five African female show hosts.[12]
Ebuka and Toke Makinwa presenting at the 2020 AMVCA
In 2010, Makinwa made her major media debut onRhythm 93.7 FM'sThe Morning Drive show as a co-host.[14] In 2012, she made a television appearance as host of theMost Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) beauty pageant, which was broadcast live across Nigeria.[15] She co-hosted Flytime TV's3 Live Chicks, along withTosyn 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 colleagueOmalicha.[16] In 2012, Makinwa launched her YouTube vlog seriesToke Moments.[17] In 2013, she won the Nigeria Broadcasters Award for Outstanding Female Presenter of the Year,[18] and was nominated for Radio OAP of the Year at theNigeria Entertainment Awards. That same year, she became an ambassador for theUnited Africa Company of Nigeria.[19]
In January 2014,Hip Hop World Magazine announced Makinwa as the host of its talk showTrending.[20][21] She also secured a spot onEbonyLife TV as a co-host of its flagship showMoments.[22] Makinwa has hosted numerous notable events, including the 2013The Future Awards Africa and the2014 Headies Awards.[23][24] In March 2021, Makinwa co-hosted the third season ofThe Voice Nigeria with actressNancy Isime.[25]In October 2021, she hosted Season 12 ofGulder Ultimate Search.[26] In November 2021, she premiered her talk show,Talk With Toke Makinwa, onMultiChoice.[27][28] In 2022, Makinwa played the character Louise in the 2022 filmGlamour Girls, which was directed by Bunmi Adesoye and Abimbola Craig.
In November 2016, Makinwa released her memoirOn Becoming, which addresses her personal struggles and the betrayal of her ex-husband Maje Ayida.[29][30] Makinwa went on a book tour to promote the book; the tour included stops in Nigeria, the U.K, South Africa, the U.S, and parts of East Africa.[31][32][33][34]
In 2017, Makinwa launched a handbag line under her eponymous label, Toke Makinwa Luxury.[35][36] She also launched a skincare product called Glow by TM in 2018.[37]
In 2013, Makinwa became an ambassador for theUnited Africa Company of Nigeria, along withOsas Ighodaro,Dare Art Alade andDan Foster.[38] She signed a multi-million naira contract withNestlé Nigeria and became the face of its brandMaggi.[39] In 2016, she was awarded the brand ambassadorial role at Mecran Cosmetics, and became an ambassador for Payporte andCiroc.[40][41][42] In November 2019, Makinwa signed an endorsement deal withOppo Mobile.[43] In 2021, she hosted season 6 ofThe Buzz, a show that airs onShowmax Naija.[44]
Makinwa lost both of her parents in agas explosion when she was 8 years old.[45] On 15 January 2014, she married Maje Ayida, whom she had been involved with for eight years prior to their wedding.[46][47] In 2015, she separated from Ayida after finding out that he had gotten his ex-girlfriend pregnant.[48] On 5 October 2017, Makinwa's marriage to Ayida was dissolved by a Lagos High Court on the grounds that Ayida committed adultery. Makinwa disclosed that she lost her older sister whenBig Brother Naija season 6 ended.[49][50][51]
Makinwa gave birth to her first child, a girl, in August 2025. Earlier in the same month, she unveiled herbaby bump in a social media post.[52]
