D’Banj Advised Me Not To Celebrate My 40th Birthday – Toke Makinwa

Toke Makinwa, a media figure, has expressed concern over turning 40.
Makinwa discussed her conversation with legendary musician D'Banj on a recent edition of her podcast, Toke Moments.
She revealed that the singer encouraged her not to celebrate her 40th birthday, citing industry pressures and the fear of being "retired" because of her age.

According to her, "I'm turning a huge age this year, and I'm really nervous. I am so nervous. I began the year by declaring I didn't want to accomplish anything. D'Banj, I am going to call him out. D'Banj called and told me, "Don't do birthdays! You're familiar with this industry. Did I celebrate my birthday? Did Don Jazzy celebrate his birthday? Who shouted? when they were 40? Don’t do any birthday o! They will retire you.” I was like “Dapo, what do you mean?

When I fill out forms these days, you know how delighted we were to fill them out between the ages of 18 and 25, we go quickly. Between the ages of 25 and 35, you tick. After 35, the question becomes, "Is this answer required?"


However, her show's guest, IK Osakioduwa, offered words of encouragement and reassurance.

He emphasized that age is not a barrier and told Makinwa to concentrate on the impact she has had and the lives she has impacted, rather than her age.

"You shall not be nervous. I am 45, and I just turned 45. And I am still doing this thing. They cannot retire you. I won't lie to you, there is that moment when you feel like if I tell them my age, people would think I'm too old for this?

However, I've begun to shift to a space where I'm no longer a presenter, but rather a platform for presenters, in order to establish new ways.

"I want to be able to sit down and look and count not how many awards or trophies I have on shelves, but I want to be able to look at the lives of people I've changed because our paths crossed," he told me.