I Will Never Change My Surname When I Remarry – Toke Makinwa Explain Why

Toke Makinwa, a media personality and actress, revealed in a recent episode of Toke Moments that she does not plan to take her partner’s last name when she gets married again.

VerseNews understands that the actress considers her name a brand that she has put significant effort into building and intends to retain it.

Toke cited her previous marriage to Maje Ayida, stating that not changing her name during that marriage made the divorce less stressful for her, as she didn’t have to deal with the complications of reverting to her maiden name.

She clarified that although her ex-husband referred to her as Mrs. Ayida at home, she retained her maiden name publicly.

Toke expressed her desire for her future partner to appreciate and accept her decision, emphasizing that “Toke Makinwa is staying,” without opting for a hyphenated surname. However, she’s open to her children bearing their father’s surname.

Throughout her previous marriage, she maintained her personal documents and professional identity under her maiden name, avoiding the potential hassle of changing them back after the divorce.

Toke emphasized the effort and dedication she has invested in building her brand, indicating her reluctance to alter her established identity.

In her words; “I kept my last name when I got married. It was supposed to be Toke Makinwa-Ayida but it was only at home that he called me Mrs Ayida.

“I hope that whoever I end up with next would actually love it because Toke Makinwa is staying. I don’t want to hyphenate. But my kids can bear their father’s surname.

“In my marriage, my bank details, my passport, nothing changed. Imagine what I would have gone through trying to change it back when we got divorce. I have built this brand with my blood, sweat and tears.”