Nigerian media personality Toke Makinwa has shared an empowering message for women who haven’t married or had children, reflecting on her own journey to motherhood.
In late August, Toke welcomed her first child, a baby girl named Yakira Eliana, at age 40, describing the arrival as the happiest moment of her life. She said her daughter has introduced her to a kind of love she had never experienced before.
On Instagram, she addressed the hurtful messages she has received from critics, pointing out how societal expectations often overshadow women’s personal and professional accomplishments. Toke noted that no matter a woman’s career achievements, society frequently measures her worth by milestones like marriage or motherhood.
“I’m not one to even acknowledge negativity. I’ve built a strong brand off the stones that have constantly been thrown at me over the years, and one thing about God, he loves the people you judge so much. I am only sharing this for anyone out there dealing with contention, delay, shame, and all the cràzy limitations life can sometimes throw your way,” she said.
Toke highlighted the unfair way society glorifies certain life events over personal success:
“Funny how no matter how much you rise career-wise as a woman, society still glorifies the things that haven’t happened for you yet. Marriage has become some sort of a yardstick to fulfilment, and if you don’t have a child yet, hmmmmmmm! Very loaded sigh.”
She expressed gratitude for waiting on divine timing, explaining:
“Thank you, Jesus, this one ended in praise. You were not late; you only wanted my heart posture to be right, and I’m thankful for the community of women you’ve given me in this season. I know there are ladies who feel they are running out of time; society wants you to believe that you have expired, you might even start to believe it, but you are wrong. I am thankful I did not settle, I’m thankful I got to be a mum when I am ready, I’m thankful I rejected all these labels, and I am grateful it happened not when I wanted it but when God’s timing was right. It is perfect!”
Reflecting on how she protected herself from negativity during her pregnancy, Toke added:
“Do not underestimate the power of negativity. I ran away the whole pregnancy, I became so fearful, and I shut everyone out. Then this word came: ‘Perfect love drowns out fear.’ God is love, he gives good gifts, and it is perfect. I prayed it till my heart believed it. The words hurt, but my spirit was not broken. They only reminded God about me, not that he forgot, but they challenged him to shatter the ceiling with this testimony.”
She concluded with advice for women waiting on their own milestones:
“So here’s my advice to you: Hold on, drown out the noise, focus on the Vine, let him do the heavy lifting, celebrate yourself at every stage, you are becoming, and everything good will come. There will be days when it’ll get tough, but the victory is worth it. Congratulations in advance to anyone waiting, it doesn’t have to be a child, whatever you’re waiting on, it’s here.”
Toke Makinwa’s reflections serve as a reminder that faith, patience, and self-celebration are essential in navigating societal pressures and defining one’s own journey.
