Deborah Iwakun Edileola is the CEO Debbiebarbie skincare line. In this interview with ROTIMI IGE, she talks about the industry and how she aims to change perceptions as regards skincare.
How did you get into the beauty business?
I started a few years back when I had issues with my skin. I had tried many things and they weren’t working, so I had to start reading and researching myself. I made some products for myself and it worked like magic. People would come up to compliment my skin and ask what I used. That was when I realised that I liked giving people skin advice. I have been in business for about four years now.
What would you say your success rate has been like?
It has been great. When I started, I was making products at home and selling online. Later, we were able to expand and get a better space. We have built a good customer base both in Nigeria and all around the world. COVID-19 pandemic affected a lot of businesses. Did it affect your sales too, since people were not going out much?
The fun part is that during the lockdown, I made more sales than ever because I made people see reasons to care for their skin. People had less stress to contend with and I advised them to try out our products. It was the perfect time for the skincare business. Many wanted to look good when they resume work after the lockdown is over. So truly, for my own business, the lockdown was favourable. Now that the economy is opening up though, people are a little more prudent with their spending.
A lot of people are quite sceptical about products in Nigeria, how do you reassure people?
Our products are safe. We sent them to certified laboratories for analysis and all we are expecting now is the NAFDAC number and the process is already on, including NAFDAC inspections. The truth is that if our products are not safe, I won’t want to register it. I know it’s safe, hence my confidence. If a client is scared to buy online, they can simply walk into our store.
Some people don’t use the right products and they conclude that the products aren’t working when they are the ones that aren’t using the right thing for their skin type. The fact that a product worked on one person does not mean it will work on another person. I counsel and ask questions to understand each client’s
Have you ever gotten a skin type you could not handle or bad reactions?
No. The basic thing is knowing how to handle clients. There are situations where a client would try our product and they might break out initially. I let them understand that when you change your skincare product at times, your skin might purge. That doesn’t mean it is bad; it’s just that your skin is trying to cleanse itself and get used to the new product you are introducing to it. Skin purging doesn’t last for more than three to four weeks. So when you explain, they are patient.
Some people still believe they can employ makeup to cover flaws. What’s your take on that?
Makeup should not always be the solution because sometimes your skin just needs to breathe. If it doesn’t breathe, you will break out. In this part of the world, we don’t read the ingredients on our products. There are some products that when you use them on your skin, based on the kind of skin you have and the ingredients, you will break out. By reading labels, you become familiar with these things.
As a young woman in business, what are the lessons you have learnt so far?
Make your mistakes your own way. There’s nothing wrong with starting small with trial and error; just don’t give up. If it is your dream, stay focused. Beginnings are never rosy, but along the line, you see things and learn from your mistakes. Those experiences make you better.
Have you ever been at the receiving end of any stereotype?
Once you are in the skincare business, people believe you are bleaching. People attack me quite a bit on social media, and I used to feel bad. Now, I just reply and block them. You can’t make me feel less than I am anymore. This business has also made me realise that there are demand and supply; whether you supply it or not, someone else will do it, so why don’t you do it. Skincare is not bleaching. However, when you get to a certain point in your life when you start living well, there is no way you won’t glow. You’ll look more beautiful. Everyone wants to brighten up a bit and glow and we have products that are safe, approved all over the world, and natural that would give you that result. It’s just that in Nigeria, people are very judgemental, so you have to stand your ground and understand the place of your business and know that there is demand.
Some people don’t believe in putting their business on social media as a result of backlash and criticism. What’s your take on that?
Are you kidding me? Why would you not put your business on social media, especially Instagram? Trust me, billions of dollars flies on Instagram every day, you just have to know your way around it. I made my first million on Instagram. So, my advice is that people should put their business online, especially with the situation of the world now. Things are changing now and the world is going online. E-commerce is taking over traditional commerce; you just have to maintain a physical store for those who still need to walk in. No one would come from the UK to buy products in Nigeria, but social media changes that. All my international clients got to know me through my social media handles.
How profitable is the business?
I don’t have any other business, this is all I have for now and it pays the bills. We expanded and we now do facials and other skin treatments. We have a spa too. The fun thing about this business is that if you know how to go about it, there is a lot of money on it. Virtually every woman wants to look good. People want to bathe, I sell soap, cream… you can’t run out of business when it comes to beauty.
How affordable are your products though?
In business terms, you need to realise that your target clients must be able to afford you. My target clients are working-class ladies. Still, we are quite affordable.
Was this your dream career?
No. The plan was to be an air hostess. But life puts you in situations where your dreams change. I lost my father at some point. I’m grateful for my mum because after my father passed on, she worked hard to put us through university. I never wanted to work for someone else because I knew I could never get the kind of money I want. My mother didn’t like it when I ventured into this, but I explained to her and reminded her that she was able to care for us because she was also in business and not working for someone.
I Want More Babies with My Ex—Not Marriage!” — Wumi Toriola Shocks Fans with Bold Confession
LAGOS, NIGERIA – In a revelation that has left fans stunned and the internet buzzing, popular Nollywood actress Wumi Toriola has openly declared that she has no interest in getting married again — but still wants to have more children with her ex-husband.
The outspoken actress, known for her fiery roles on screen and blunt takes off-screen, made the confession in a recent interview that has gone viral across social media.
“I’m not interested in getting married now, but I want to have more babies with my ex-husband,” she said without hesitation.
Toriola, whose marriage ended in 2023, explained that despite their separation, she and her ex-husband maintain a solid co-parenting relationship — and even share mutual respect when it comes to parenting.
“My ex-husband told me that I may not be a good wife to him if we come back together,” she revealed. “But he also told me that I’m a good mother to our children.”
A Marriage Built on Conflict
In a tell-all moment last year, the actress disclosed that the marriage broke down due to constant emotional clashes, with her ex allegedly throwing past mistakes in her face during arguments — a pattern she said became too toxic to continue.
Yet, in a twist that has captured public attention, Toriola seems to be embracing a non-traditional family dynamic, openly stating her desire for more children with a man she no longer sees herself marrying.
“More Babies, No Ring”
Her candid take has ignited hot debates across social media, with fans divided — some praising her honesty and progressive mindset, others questioning the complications such an arrangement might bring.
While her ex-husband is reportedly not remarried, Toriola admitted she doesn’t know if he is in a new relationship, but emphasized that their current parenting arrangement is working just fine.
Social Media Reactions
Reactions have been pouring in:
“This woman is just being real. Marriage isn’t for everyone.” — @RealtalkNaija “More babies with your ex? Sounds like a soap opera plot.” — @AmakaUnfiltered “Respect to her for owning her truth, but I hope the kids are okay in all this.” — @ParentingNg
“I Am Severely Damaged” — Kemi Olunloyo Breaks Silence on Childhood Trauma, Family Rejection, and Her Father’s ‘Bondage’
LAGOS, NIGERIA — Controversial media personality and self-styled investigative journalist Kemi Olunloyo has once again sent shockwaves across the country with a raw, deeply personal revelation about her lifelong trauma, fractured family ties, and her decision to walk away from journalism for good.
In a post that has since gone viral on social media, the 59-year-old daughter of the late former governor of Oyo State, Victor Omololu Olunloyo, opened up about her harrowing past, including surviving a sexual assault at age 13, her strained relationship with her father, and why she never married.
“I am especially severely damaged from the se@ual attack trauma of Ikorodu Rd as it’s April 28th (1978) again,” she wrote. “It is one of the reasons I never married and just had children.”
The journalist claimed she had been robbed of affection and the will to trust or love a man ever since the abuse, adding that the experience permanently changed the course of her emotional and personal life.
Olunloyo, known for her controversial takes and online rants, stated that she currently lives alone in a one-room apartment, having relocated multiple times in the past two years. But now, she says, she is “finally at peace.”
“My Father Put a Charm on My Career”
Perhaps the most explosive part of her confession was her accusation against her late father, whom she claims spiritually sabotaged her career in journalism.
“I begged through fundraising and donations to work for so long because my own father clamped a charm bondage on my career,” she alleged. “He never liked me being a journalist. He never wanted my education to supersede his.”
Olunloyo also denounced the media industry in Nigeria, stating that many outlets branded her “mad” and refused to support her work for over a decade. As a result, she declared her permanent retirement from journalism, a profession in which she had been both celebrated and condemned.
“I cannot return to journalism as I’ve retired twice and have no interest anymore,” she said.
A Wave of Support Amid the Pain
Despite the dark tone of her message, Olunloyo acknowledged an overwhelming outpouring of support from Nigerians who have reached out, offering gifts and prayers.
“God will lift me. I appreciate all your gifts. Continue to pray for me.”
Her message has sparked a nationwide conversation on mental health, sexual violence, childhood trauma, and the often-taboo topic of dysfunctional family dynamics among Nigeria’s elite.
As Nigerians reflect on her confessions—raw, unapologetic, and deeply personal—many are asking tough questions about how society supports survivors, especially when their voices come wrapped in controversy.
Egbaliganza: IWA Urges Youths to Play a Greater Role in Promoting Culture and Heritage
By Adeyemi Obadimu
In a powerful call to action, the Ogun State lawmaker representing Abeokuta South Constituency II, Hon. Wasiu Sunday Ayodele, popularly known as IWA, has urged Egba sons and daughters, particularly the youth, to actively engage in the cultural practices that define the rich heritage of Egba land.
His remarks followed the successful conclusion of the 2025 Lisabi Day Festival, a significant cultural event that celebrated the traditions and history of the Egba people.
Hon. IWA, who is the Balogun Woro Of Ijeja Land at the just concluded festival is an advocate for preserving and promoting cultural identity, he praised the organizers of the festival for their exceptional work in bringing together the community to celebrate Egba culture.
“According to IWA, the Lisabi Day Festival serves as a crucial platform for showcasing the unity, values, and customs that have been passed down through generations.
“I urge all Egba youths to participate more in the cultural activities of our land,” Hon. IWA said. “The just concluded Lisabi festival was a clear reminder that our culture is an invaluable asset that binds us together as a people. It is important that we, as the younger generation, take pride in our traditions and continue to carry them forward. By participating in these cultural events, we strengthen our identity and ensure that our legacy endures.”
He said Culture plays a pivotal role in the development of any community. It shapes our values, beliefs, and way of life, serving as the foundation of our social cohesion and unity. In Egba land, culture is not only a reflection of our past but a living, evolving part of our present and future.
Culture acts as a repository for the history, stories, and values of a people. Festivals like Lisabi Day provide an opportunity to pass down knowledge and traditions to younger generations, ensuring that Egba history remains vibrant and relevant.
Hon. IWA emphasized that the youth are the future custodians of Egba culture, and their involvement in activities like the Lisabi Day Festival is crucial in ensuring that these traditions continue to thrive for generations to come.
“The future of Egba culture lies in the hands of our youth. By actively participating in cultural events and promoting our traditions, we are ensuring that the Egba legacy remains strong and proud,” he concluded.
As the Egba people look forward to more celebrations of their heritage, Hon. IWA called on all stakeholders, including government agencies, community leaders, and the youth, to work together in fostering a stronger, more vibrant cultural community.