This year’s African Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) was held on Saturday, March 14, at Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

As usual, the event superbly hosted by the duo of Amina Abdi Rabar and Ik Osakioduwa was graced by the who is who in Nigeria’s entertainment industry and had some of Africa’s brightest film stars clinch the coveted AMVCA plaques.

One of such stars was Nigeria’s very own, Toyin Abraham. She picked up the award for Best Actress in Drama (Movie/TV series) based on the flick titled Elevator Baby.

Maggie’s Blog hereby presents to you this delectable actress called Toyin Abraham as captured from Entrepreneurs.

Toyin Abraham is a Nigerian actress, filmmaker, producer, and entrepreneur. She began her acting career in 2003 when she starred in the movie ‘Dugbe Dugbe nbo’ produced by Bukky Wright. Since then, she has continued to feature in best of Nollywood movies and has also ventured into movie production.

Generally, Toyin is known for her comic roles in films especially with her self-produced blockbuster movie ‘Alakada Reloaded’. She is also an entrepreneur who recently ventured into the sales of herbal product for women with infertility issues.

Background

Toyin Abraham was born Olutoyin Aimakhu on September 5, 1984 in Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria. She began her education in Edo State and attended Oba Kenzo Nursery and Primary School, Benin. Later on, her father retired and the entire family moved to Ibadan where she spent most of her early life.

In Ibadan, she started from Queen’s Staff School, then St. Annes School, Ibadan. Thereafter, she proceeded to Iree Polytechnic, Osun State, for a National Diploma in Business Studies. She also attended Olabisi Onabanjo University and bagged a degree in Philosophy before returning to Iree Polytechnic for an HND in Marketing.

Toyin is the last of six children. She was born into a poor background where she had to hawk to support her family.

Personal Life

In 2013, Toyin got married to Adeniyi Johnson, a Nollywood actor. But, the marriage lasted for two years. Then, in July 2019, she had a traditional engagement with Kolawole Ajeyemi, an actor too and together they welcomed their first child in August, 2019.

She changed her name from Toyin Aimakhu to Toyin Abraham in 2016. According to her, the change was her family’s decision. Her hobbies include; singing, dancing, and cooking.

Career

Toyin began acting in 2003 but took it professional in 2004/2005. Her motivation came from her boss Bukky Wright, an ace Nigerian actress. Toyin Abraham first featured in Bukky’s movie, ‘Dugbe Dugbe Nbo’. Subsequently, she began to star in other films until she rose to stardom.

As she grew in the movie industry, she started producing her own movies. The first movie she produced is Alajota and there are plans to produce ‘Alajota Reloaded’.

Today, Toyin Abraham is one of the biggest brands in the Nigerian movie industry. According to her, starring in ‘Okafor’s Law’ and working with movie director, Omoni Oboli was highly instrumental to her brand. She is not relenting; she has been consistent and is making a name for herself.

In the industry, she has worked with the likes of Kunle Afolayan, Tonto Dikeh, Jackie Appiah, Bolanle Ninalowo, Mercy Aigbe, Iyabo Ojo and many others.

Films

She has starred in numerous movies, some of which include;

Alakada, 2013

Omo Elemosho, 2013

Ayitale, 2013

Ebi mi ni, 2013

Alani Baba Labake, 2013

Love is in the Hair, 2016

Okafor’s Law, 2016

Celebrity Marriage, 2017

Tatu, 2017

Wives on Strike: The Revolution, 2017

London Fever, 2017

Hakkunde, 2017

Alakada Reloaded, 2017

Mentally, 2017

Esohe, 2017

The In-laws, 2017

Dance to my Heart, 2017

Disguise, 2018

The Ghost and the Tout, 2018

Seven and a Half Dates, 2018

What Just Happened, 2018

Two Weeks in Lagos, 2019

Nimbe, 2019

Don’t Get Mad, Get Even, 2019

Made in Heaven, 2019

The Millions, 2019

Kasanova, 2019

Bling Lagosians, 2019

Elevator Baby, 2019

Awards And Nominations

Toyin is an award-winning actress with several nominations. Some of the nominations include:

Best Supporting Actress (Yoruba) ‘Ebimi ni’, Best of Nollywood Awards, 2013

Best Actress in a Supporting Role ‘Esohe’, Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), 2018

Best Actress in a Supporting Role ‘Diamond in the Sky’, English, Best of Nollywood, 2019

Some of the awards in her possession also include:

Best Actress ‘Alakada’, Ben TV Awards, 2014

Best Indigenous Actress, Nigeria Entertainment Award, 2014

The Best Supporting Actress Feature Film ‘Hakkunde’ Five Continents International Film Festival, 2017

Best Actress in Nollywood, Moreklue All Youths Award (MAYA), 2017

The Best Female Act, Nigeria Entertainment Awards (NEA), 2017

Best Actress ‘Alakada Reloaded’ Exquisite Lady of the Year (ELOY), 2017

Best Supporting Actress ‘Tatu’ Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA), 2018

Toyin Herbal

In October 2019, Toyin officially launched her herbal medicine business, Toyin Herbal, a subsidiary of Toyin Abraham Company. This was shortly after she revealed how challenging her journey to motherhood was.

According to her, she discovered a lot of people have abandoned the traditional remedies that served their forefathers during crises of childlessness. Rather, they have sought out other modern inventions which are quite expensive and probably harmful to their health. As a result, she launched the Female Fertility Booster (FFB), a product that makes child conception and bearing easier.

FFB enhances sexual health, balances menstrual cycle and cramps, supports and stabilises pregnancy.

Also, she is the CEO of CurvslimmingteabyToyin and bodytalkbyToyin.

Net Worth

Toyin is one of Nigeria’s biggest social influencer. Keninfo.com.ng estimated her net worth at $500,000. She is one of the richest and most influential actresses in Nigeria.

Her Quotes

“Don’t dwell too much on what people tell you so you don’t have to relax, keep moving.”

“When you don’t listen to the voice of the Lord, then you listen to the voice of the devil.”

“When you make a mistake be quick to say it out loud. It only becomes a problem when you fail to admit it.”

“You cannot motivate people with what you do not know.”

“When you fall, and you stand, it makes you great.”

“We are all beggars on earth. It’s either we are begging for money, happiness, health e.t.c. Let’s be humble.”

“Herbal medicine goes as far back as we can remember. It is how our great-grandparents and grandparents survived and thrived.”

“By the time you analyse issues carefully, you would realise that the so-called critics are people who don’t know you. They form their opinions based on what they see on screen or what they hear people say.”

“Life is too short to dwell on things that make you unhappy.”

“To be great in life, you have to be willing to be mocked, hated and misunderstood.”

“Happiness is personal. Don’t let people determine your happiness…”

“Motherhood is a journey. A reality check where you realise that your life is no longer your own. Even in labour room, to live or not to, is in the hand of God.”

Entrepreneurial Lessons from Toyin Abraham

There is room for improvement: In an interview recently, Toyin was asked the secret to her success, she said, she owes it to constant self improvement. She further explained how she had to quit some habit, redefine her relationships and even researched on how to be a better actress.

Just like the words of Roy Bennet, “You make the world a better place by making improvements to become the best version of yourself.” There is always room for self improvement and continuous improvement. It does not matter what level you are in life, constantly seek for ways to improve yourself.

Versatility

Recently, Toyin starred in Kathryn Fasega’s movie ‘Two weeks in Lagos’, and played the role of a church, cool-headed girl as opposed to her usual kind of roles. Apparently, her fans were amazed as to how she could perfectly deliver the role.

It is important to be versatile in life and in business.