Toke Makinwa on motherhood, faith, and living without limits

Radiating confidence, resilience, and authenticity, Toke Makinwa has built an empire as one of Africa’s most recognisable media and lifestyle voices. A Nigerian radio host, TV personality, actress, bestselling author, beauty entrepreneur, and digital creator, she has consistently reinvented herself while inspiring a generation of women to live boldly and unapologetically. Now, the multi-hyphenate powerhouse is stepping into a brand-new chapter, her most personal and transformative yet: motherhood.

Becoming a first-time mom has been a dream Toke openly shared throughout her career, and today, she embraces it with gratitude, vulnerability, and unshakable joy. From her groundbreaking memoir On Becoming to her globally celebrated beauty brand and digital influence, Toke has always turned her personal journey into a source of strength and connection for women everywhere. As she embarks on this new season, she reflects on faith, resilience, beauty, self-care, and what it truly means to live without limits.

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Toke Makinwa Steps Boldly Into Motherhood, Photographer: Tobi Olajolo

GLAMOUR: Congratulations, Toke! How does it feel to be stepping into motherhood for the first time?

Toke Makinwa: It feels so real. Honestly, I still can’t believe this is happening for me. I’m deeply grateful because I feel like everything aligned, and it’s happening at exactly the right time. I’ve always wanted to be a mum, I’ve spoken openly about it, and now I can see why it didn’t happen sooner, certain things in my life had to fall into place first. This truly feels like the biggest project of my life, unfolding when it’s meant to. I feel blessed, ecstatic, excited, nervous, anxious, all the emotions at once.

GLAMOUR: Did you always envision becoming a mother at this stage in your life, or did it happen unexpectedly?

Toke Makinwa: I’d say it was a bit of both. I’ve been on the journey to motherhood for about three or four years, actively trying since I turned 36. That’s when my gyno explained how egg quality drops after that age. He’s not just my doctor but also a friend, so he took a personal interest and encouraged me to start trying. It wasn’t as easy as I imagined, and at times I felt disappointed and even gave up. But he never stopped encouraging me, and I eventually had to rest in faith. There’s a saying: “Where you end is where God begins.” For me, that was true. I learned to stop relying solely on my own strength and to trust God. In the end, I’m grateful He came through for me.

GLAMOUR: You’ve built a brand around beauty, wellness, and self-confidence. How are you approaching pregnancy self-care?

Toke Makinwa: This has been tricky because I had to cut down on many of my usual skincare products and facials. But thankfully, black skin is resilient. I did experience a bit of darkening, which is normal in pregnancy, but I focused on hydration, lots of water, some coconut water for electrolytes, and safe products like hyaluronic acid. That kept my skin balanced and prevented major breakouts. I embraced the changes happening in my body instead of fighting them. Women are superhuman, miracle workers, really, and it’s amazing what our bodies can do. I didn’t complain about the weight gain; I actually embraced it because, for once, I didn’t have to obsess over the scale. I enjoyed the food, the changes, every pound, every shift. That’s where my confidence came from, joy and gratitude for the journey.

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GLAMOUR: You have excelled across radio, television, fashion, beauty, and digital media. What has been the driving force behind your constant reinventions?

Toke Makinwa: I’ve never been content staying in one box. I believe there’s always room for growth, for fresh ideas, for pushing boundaries. Starting on radio made me curious about TV, YouTube, acting, all of it. Radio was the most demanding, so acting took a back seat, but I’m circling back now. For me, it’s about keeping my mind active and refusing to settle. Gone are the days of “jack of all trades, master of none.” We live in a multi-hyphenate world where people can balance 9–5 jobs and still be content creators. As long as I’m young and able, I’ll keep exploring every opportunity. Hard work is my chosen path, and curiosity fuels me.

GLAMOUR: How do you balance ambition with personal fulfilment?

Toke Makinwa: It’s a struggle, honestly, one we don’t talk about enough. Ambition often gets confused with fulfilment, and success gets mistaken for happiness. I’m grateful for my career and for inspiring others, but I had to ask myself: beyond the work, who is Toke? That’s the harder journey, discovering yourself outside of accolades. Success can make you rush from one achievement to the next without ever pausing to live. I’ve had to learn to stop, to smell the flowers, to truly live, not just exist. That means switching off, no emails, no work, just family, travel, and rest. My spirituality grounds me. I believe God is the vine and I’m the branch; no matter my plans, His will prevails. Balancing ambition and fulfilment is still a work in progress, but being honest with myself and learning when to turn down the noise has been life-changing.

GLAMOUR: On Becoming resonated deeply with readers worldwide. What did writing that book teach you about vulnerability?

Toke Makinwa: I’ve always worn my heart on my sleeve. For me, vulnerability is power, you can’t shame the shameless. Writing On Becoming helped me own my truth and build a community of women like me, who’ve pursued careers and delayed traditional milestones like marriage or motherhood. Society often tells us we’re “late,” but God is the author of time. There’s no bus you can miss when He’s the driver. Vulnerability showed me that by sharing my story, I could break chains of shame for others. People heal when they see your healing. That, to me, is worth more than hiding behind perfection.

Toke Makinwa on Becoming a Mother, Photographer: Tobi Olajolo

GLAMOUR: Looking back at the challenges you’ve faced, both personal and professional, what has been your greatest lesson in resilience?

Toke Makinwa: That everything good will come, in its own time. I’ve learned to stop comparing myself to others and to trust that I’m exactly where I need to be. Running ahead of your timing only leads to exhaustion. My resilience comes from relying on myself when no one else was there, and learning that my happiness is my responsibility. Accepting God’s timing has brought me peace. As long as I keep showing up authentically, everything else aligns.

GLAMOUR: What’s your message to women who feel like certain dreams have an “expiry date”?

Toke Makinwa: There is no expiry date on your dreams. Society may try to convince women otherwise, but I’m living proof that it’s never too late. If motherhood is your dream, I encourage women over 35 to consider freezing their eggs, think of it as investing in your future, the way you’d save for a holiday. It’s not always easy, but it gives you options. Beyond motherhood, any dream is valid at any age. Career changes, creative pursuits, as long as it wakes you up at night, that’s God nudging you. Don’t waste energy worrying about people’s opinions; they’re too busy with their own lives. The truth is, dreams require sacrifice, but the timing doesn’t diminish the value. You are the author of your story.

GLAMOUR: How do you handle public scrutiny while living such a visible life?

Toke Makinwa: It’s tough. There will always be opinions, but I learned early to do what makes me happy. At the end of the day, people’s judgments won’t follow me into the grave. Life is fleeting, and many critics are secretly in awe of your courage to live authentically. I’d rather be the one being talked about than the one sitting on the sidelines. Scrutiny is part of the package, but the blessings and opportunities far outweigh the negatives, so I take it in stride.

GLAMOUR: You’ve become one of Africa’s most recognisable lifestyle voices. What responsibility comes with that influence?

Toke Makinwa: It comes with scrutiny, opinions, and misunderstanding. But I see it as responsibility to live boldly, even when it ruffles feathers. Not everyone will understand your path, they’re not meant to. What matters is failing forward, getting up each time, and showing people that it’s possible to live unapologetically. That, in itself, inspires others to believe.

Toke Makinwa: Photographer: Tobi Olajolo

GLAMOUR: What does success mean to you now versus ten years ago?

Toke Makinwa: Ten years ago, I was ambitious, relentless, and hungry, and I still am. The difference now is awareness. I understand timing better, I know dreams don’t expire, and I know that with consistency, everything works out. Success is no longer just about achievement; it’s about being aware of who I am, embracing growth, and trusting the process.

GLAMOUR: What’s the legacy you hope to leave, both as a media personality and as a woman?

Toke Makinwa: I want women to live audaciously, without limits. Life is short, and we often take it for granted. My hope is that my journey inspires women to do it afraid, to believe in themselves, and to understand their spiritual calling. Self-belief, grounded in God’s truth, is powerful. You’re not here by accident , there’s a special purpose for your life. My legacy, I hope, is to show that as women, we can be more, do more, and excel endlessly. There’s always more for us.

Credits:

Creative Director: Tobenna @‌tefindapp

Photographer: Tobi Olajolo @‌tobi.Olajolo

Stylist: Damola Adeyemi @‌dahmola

Set Design: Ivie @‌designsbyivie

Agency: Red Brick Communications/ Eggcorn Digital @‌eggcorndigital