Showmax spotlights Toyin Abraham: The record-breaking actress from Auchi

Toyin Abraham might have studied marketing, but acting was always a passion for the Edo-born superstar. Her love for acting stemmed from her early exposure to traditional plays on local TV stations.

During her days in the university, Toyin would attend movie auditions occasionally, so it was a case of preparation meets opportunity for her when Bukky Wright visited Ibadan to shoot a movie near her home in 2003. The mum of one bagged her first role in Bukky Wright’s Yoruba movie Dugbe Dugbe Nbo. Her performance in the film opened the door to other acting roles for her and the rest, as they say, is history. Since then she has featured in hundreds of movies – both English and Yoruba, including the award-winning Elevator Baby.

In 2013, her outstanding performance in Ebimi Ni got Toyin nominated for the Best Supporting Actress during the Best of Nollywood Awards. She also featured in the 2016 Nigerian film Omo Elemosho, which was nominated for Best Nigerian Film at the Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA).

Four years down the line, the 37-year-old actress produced her first films, Alajota and Alajota Reloaded. In the same year, she produced her hit film and series Alakada and Alakada Reloaded. The films featured some of the best in the Nigerian creative industry such as herself, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Lilian Esoro, Odunlade Adekola, Kehinde Bankole, Helen Paul, and more.

She’s also had huge success with the Ghost and the Tout movies. The latest instalment, The Ghost and The Tout Too ranked number 2 in the highest-grossing Nollywood films of 2021. She showed the movie in the UK and took to Instagram on 13 January 2022 to celebrate its success. She wrote, “Few years ago, I showed Alakada Reloaded at Odeon Cinemas, UK. I didn’t have a sold-out show neither did I fill up the hall. Fast forward to this year, not only did I sell out a huge hall but I sold out the hall in less than 3 days. The turnout was massive and the love was huge. Couldn’t be more grateful for the journey so far.”

Toyin has worked alongside A-list actors and actresses, partnered with various national and international organisations, and political campaigns.

Toyin Abraham is consistent. She maintains an exceptional dedication and commitment to her work even through name changes, personal issues, marriage, and motherhood.