Depending on when you meet him, Toyosi Godwin might be a writer, an influencer, or a media strategist. But at his core, he’s a storyteller who has learned to turn words and wit into opportunity and sometimes, into money. His journey from carrying vaccine boxes as a teenager to earning seven figures from influencer gigs is one marked by grit, evolution, and a healthy dose of humor.
The Spark To Hustle Instincts
Toyosi’s first paycheck came from an unlikely source, an immunization campaign. He was just 16, earning ₦3,000 to help health workers deliver vaccines in his neighborhood. “I wasn’t particularly concerned about the money,” he recalls. “I just wanted to be busy and not sit at home doing nothing.”
But the job wasn’t glamorous. “It was torture,” he laughs. “I was working with people old enough to be my mother, walking from house to house while people hid their children or argued with us.” Still, that early exposure to work, no matter how menial, planted a seed. He learned the value of effort, patience, and the quiet pride of earning something, however small.
When Toyosi got into the University of Benin to study Mass Communication, the lessons from his early grind took on new meaning. UniBen, he says, “wasn’t just a school, it was a shaping ground.”
He didn’t just study; he experimented. “I made money, and I lost money,” he says. “My mom always told me, money has its seasons. When it’s flowing, be wise with it. I didn’t listen.”
At UniBen, Toyosi wore many hats. He freelanced as a writer on Fiverr, earning in dollars. He sold sheets of paper to desperate students during tests, ₦10 for ₦20. He even dabbled in early influencer marketing, long before it became mainstream. “Sometimes I just needed to get by,” he admits. “Freelancing was my main thing, but I wasn’t too proud to hustle in small ways.”
Finding His Voice Through Words
Writing came naturally. He was an art student in secondary school, and his mother worked in a bookshop, a combination that made books his earliest friends. “I used to write stories and read a lot,” he says. “So, studying Mass Communication felt like a continuation.”
That foundation served him well when he joined Fiverr. While Upwork felt too complex, Fiverr was accessible. “I earned about ₦50,000 at some point,” he recalls. “It wasn’t much, but seeing it in my account for the first time, it was real. I remember taking my friends out for fufu and egusi just to celebrate.”
Then came the rookie mistake: new shoes. “₦25,000 sneakers I didn’t need,” he laughs. “I was young and wanted to look cool. It made me cool, but broke. I learned quickly that looking rich and being rich are not the same thing.
The Accidental Influencer
Toyosi’s foray into influencing was almost accidental. He had joined Twitter (now X) and built a small following by making people laugh. “Someone messaged me one day: ‘I see what you’re doing, want to join my campaign for ₦50,000?”
That first gig led to others. “The messages started coming in abundance,” he says. “Big brands, small businesses, everyone wanted a piece.” Soon, he was earning six-figure payments regularly, and even seven figures for major campaigns.
But he never let the money blind him. “I’m very careful not to misrepresent my reputation for cash,” he says. “Betting brands pay the most, but I don’t take everything that comes my way.” Instead, he focuses on fintechs and NGOs, industries that align better with his values.
The Money and the Mindset
While influencing pays, Toyosi is quick to emphasize that it’s not a stable career. “It’s freelancing,” he explains. “Money comes in waves. When it does, invest. Buy land, pay rent upfront, or learn a new skill.”
He practices what he preaches. “Land is a healthy, fertile investment,” he says. “I also use fintech apps for ROI-based savings. My friend is teaching me about gold investing, but crypto?” He shakes his head. “Never again. I lost a lot with a fintech, so lessons were learned.”
The Present Bet: Building a Life Beyond
Today, Toyosi’s focus has shifted from chasing trends to building longevity. He continues to influence, but with structure, treating it as both a business and a craft.
“Money is great,” he says. “But it’s the freedom it gives that matters. When you’re consistent, strategic, and true to yourself, the money will come. But if you chase it blindly, it’ll humble you fast.”
For Toyosi, the ultimate goal isn’t just to trend, but to leave a mark.
And that, more than any brand deal or viral tweet, is the real flex.
I’ve lived many lives, but one lesson ties them all together: money is only as powerful as its utility. Through my work, I share stories about money and create guides for Africans who want to get the best out of theirs.