Meet Eniola Olowofoyeku: the force driving Africa’s creative momentum in fashion, film, and media

From church memory verses to a Top 5 finish at Miss Nigeria, from ‘Mama Peak’ on prime-time TV to policy rooms and training cohorts, Eniola Olowofoyeku (Eniola Foyeh) has learned to treat visibility as responsibility. In this Exclusive interview, she speaks with Dr Yomi Bosede about origins, fashion as language, brand integrity, mentorship, and a practical plan to grow Africa’s creative economy.

When the camera light fades, some careers dim with it. Not Eniola’s. She works at the meeting point of media, fashion, and public-interest work: an actor and host who also convenes rooms where policy and the creative economy face each other and get specific. Her story runs through school debates and church memory verses, through a university talent night, to film sets, brand campaigns, and programmes such as the Camera Confidence Centre for Media Advancement, the Pan-African Policy Dialogue, the Fine Wine Women Conference, and the Africa Creatives’ Choice Awards.

Across our exchange, what stands out is discipline softened by warmth. She is ambitious without bluster, intentional without fuss, and she returns, again and again, to purpose.

Dr Yomi Bosede: Being a public speaker and actor, how did you start? What inspired you to become who you are today, and what did you have to let go of to make room for it?

Eniola Foyeh: It began in nursery and primary school. I was that curious child who entered everything: drama, quizzes, debates. My headmaster called me ‘Angel’. Church added memory verses and Bible challenges. I loved exploring every opportunity, and I felt loved in return.

At the University of Ibadan, I joined a dance group in my first year. My friends and I later formed our own group and won our hall’s talent night. I also became known for personal style, earning ‘Best Dressed Fresher’ in the Faculty of Arts and ‘Best Dressed’ at Queen Elizabeth II Hall. Fashion became another language for me. In third year I landed my first acting role, which changed my confidence. I also managed beauty pageant contestants and found I loved supporting others.

My mother was central. She made me feel like the best thing that had ever happened and called me ‘Miss Nigeria’ from my teens. That confidence carried me to the Miss Nigeria stage, where I finished in the top five.

Purpose is my driver. My gifts are not ornaments; they are tools. Media and entertainment are vehicles I can use to reach people, spark growth, and create impact.

Dr Yomi: Who are your role models in Nigeria and abroad, and what has each taught you about craft, courage, or longevity?

Eniola: There are many. In Nigeria, I admire Mo Abudu, Paul Adefarasin, Bolanle Austen-Peters, Ibukun Awosika, Fola Alakija, Moji Honponu Wusu, Funke Akindele, TY Bello, Dupe Lanre-Olusola, Oloritwashie, the Olori of Warri, and my mother, Yinka Olowofoyeku. I could go on. Beyond admiration, I see values that align with my life and career: excellence, innovation, courage, and service.

Dr Yomi: Style is part of presence. How would you describe your fashion life, and how does it support your work on stage and on camera? Name one signature look, one designer you trust, and one piece that always gives you confidence.

Eniola: Fashion is a powerful way to speak without words. For hosting and appearances, I choose looks that match the moment. In films the wardrobe is set by the story, so I pray for a stylish, thoughtful wardrobe manager. My personal style is chic, elegant, and modern. I love colour; teal gives me chills, but I often reach for red, white, and black. A white look is a favourite, yet a bold red dress always feels like a statement. And leather? I love it: shorts, dresses, jackets. The texture matches my edge.

Dr Yomi: How do you choose screen roles and hosting work? What determines what you play or accept?

Eniola: The story must resonate. When a script comes, I sit with it. If it connects on a deeper level, I go for it. I love roles that stretch me: a lover today, a TV reporter tomorrow, a student or business manager next week, then a First Lady. I do have a soft spot for romance because I love love. Hosting is similar. I check alignment with my work, the audience, and the organiser’s values. If it is not a fit, I recommend someone who is.

Dr Yomi: How did your brand relationships begin in practice? Was it a warm introduction, a cold pitch, an agency link, or work that brands noticed? What should a brand know before approaching you, and which two brands would you love to work with next, and why?

Eniola: It started with showing up and trusting my voice. As I explored media and entertainment, opportunities came, but structure grew the work. I built a strong portfolio and insisted on excellence. People who had seen that recommended me, and one referral led to another. Over time I formalised operations. Frontierbookings now manages my engagements. Messages still come to me directly, but they go through process. Professionalism is non-negotiable.

My brand message is simple: professionalism, results, and exclusivity. I work with premium brands that align with my ethos. Peak Chocolate is a favourite partnership. After three years leading their TV and publicity campaigns, people know me as ‘Mama Peak Choco’, and the contract was recently renewed. Olive ORS Hair Relaxer is another I am proud of. I have also worked with LG, Amber Drink, and Nestlé Pure Life.

Looking ahead, I would love to front a global impact campaign with the World Bank, and to collaborate with the Los Angeles Lakers on a project that blends sport, storytelling, and global appeal.

Dr Yomi: You led a continental story as ‘Mama Peak’. What did that campaign teach you about protecting your voice inside a brand brief, and where do you now draw the line?

Eniola: The Peak narrative centred on family and the beauty of good parenting. Playing a young mother made it personal and warm. I learned that renewals are not accidents. Brands stay when they see authentic value and measurable results. Mutual respect, clear expectations, and trust protect your voice. I draw the line where a brief asks me to trade integrity for exposure.

Dr Yomi: Off camera, what do you do? What are your hobbies? How do you spend time away from work?

Eniola: I am rooted in advocacy and advisory work. I love helping people move from wishing to building. That is why I created platforms such as the Camera Confidence Centre for Media Advancement, the Fine Wine Women Conference, the Pan-African Policy Dialogue, and the Africa Creatives’ Choice Awards and Special Recognition. Beyond that, I feed my soul with music, especially jazz, soul, and afrobeat, and I love discovering new places. New experiences add colour and rhythm to the story I am still writing.

Dr Yomi: As a media personality, which skills make you stand out and attract brands?

Eniola: I bring creative intelligence, media expertise, and a social-impact lens that translates into measurable value. I turn ideas into narratives that engage audiences and elevate brands, while connecting media, policy, and purpose. I champion youth empowerment, female inclusion, and nation-building. Visibility matters, but what your light does for others matters more. I use the spotlight to shape stories, amplify voices, and inspire change.

Dr Yomi: When you partner with major institutions or brands, what do you look for first, and what red flags make you walk away?

Eniola: I look for alignment, credibility, and a vision that complements my audience. Purpose and professionalism are key, and I prefer long-term work over quick wins. Red flags include poor communication, unclear identity, lack of transparency on payments or deliverables, and a mindset that treats influence as a shortcut instead of a partnership.

Dr Yomi: As a beauty queen who is often on screen, how do you handle advances from the opposite sex?

Eniola: It is a reality many women face. Wisdom, self-awareness, and strong values set the boundaries. I stay open and warm, but I am clear about what I will and will not engage in. Structure helps.

Dr Yomi: Which younger creators or organisers are you actively building right now, and what are you doing, concretely, to move them forward?

Eniola: The recent Camera Confidence Masterclass at the British Council headquarters in Ikoyi brought together skilled facilitators and committed learners. I believe in education, technology, and digital literacy as tools for empowerment. I design programmes that build confidence and practical skills, and I work to connect participants to real opportunities.

Dr Yomi: Has there been a time you felt disappointed with your performance? What did you do afterwards?

Eniola: Yes. Every creative knows that feeling. When it happens, I reflect honestly, not from self-doubt but from a desire to grow. I ask what could be better, seek feedback, and use it to improve. I remind myself I am worthy of the opportunities I have and the ones coming. Purpose keeps me centred. Media is a vehicle, not the destination.

Dr Yomi: When you picture the next decade for African creatives, what should change in discovery, funding, protection, and distribution? What are the first three moves you would make?

Eniola: We need stronger discovery pipelines for emerging talent, more accessible funding through venture, grants, and partnerships, and robust IP protection with smarter distribution. That is how we monetise creativity at home while telling authentic African stories to the world. I want creatives to be role models off stage as well: people of integrity who inspire the next generation.

Dr Yomi: Looking five to ten years ahead, what is your plan to strengthen Nigeria’s creative industry and contribute across Africa?

Eniola: I want to help build an ecosystem that spots and mentors talent, opens doors to finance, and secures IP and distribution so work can travel and earn. I want a generation of creatives who lead by example and set high standards for excellence, integrity, and lasting influence.

Dr Yomi: If ₦1 billion landed in your account tomorrow, how would you allocate it in the first year, and what result should the public expect to see?

Eniola: I would invest across creative, cultural, media, and sports sectors to empower young people and women in all 36 states. I would build institutions, platforms, and funding channels that help talent earn, while attracting investment and turning Nigeria into a hub of opportunity and productivity. In a year I would expect to see real jobs, functioning pipelines, and creators monetising their work with dignity.

Interviews often flatten people into titles. This conversation does the opposite. Eniola makes a case for visibility as service, for fashion that speaks, for brand work that protects voice, and for programmes that turn confidence into contracts. She is building a career that moves between the stage and the policy table without losing its centre.

‘I use the spotlight to shape stories, amplify voices, and inspire change,’ she told me. It reads like a mission statement, yet it sounds like an invitation. Watch this space; the next act is already in rehearsal.