Toke Makinwa Reflects on Her 20s: Lessons in Love, Growth, and Self-Discovery

Media personality Toke Makinwa has opened up about the lessons she learned in her twenties, revealing that much of that time was devoted to a single relationship. Speaking on Cocktails and Takeaways, she shared her regrets and emphasized the importance of self-discovery in young adulthood.

“I don’t think I liked my twenties. I don’t think I knew what I was doing,” Makinwa admitted. “In my twenties, I was in love with one man. I spent my entire twenties following one man.”

Now a well-established figure in the media industry, Makinwa reflected on how those experiences shaped her but urged young people, especially women, to prioritize personal growth over early life commitments.

“If I could turn back time, I’m grateful that I am where I am because my experiences have shaped me,” she said. “But I tell a lot of young people: You have no business in your early or mid-twenties getting married. Figure yourself out. Know you.”

Makinwa questioned the societal pressure for young women to marry early, explaining how much people evolve between their twenties and thirties. “At 22, why are you married? If it works for you, I’m not knocking it. But as women, we mature faster than the guys,” she noted.

She emphasized that understanding oneself is critical before committing to a lifelong partnership. “You are not going to be the same person at 30. You must be able to make room to accept who you are before bringing in the burden of somebody else.”