Growing up mainly in the UK, she attended boarding school in Bournemouth and finished her secondary school in London. Her decision to return back home was partly hers and that of her parents. Tolu Oniru mostly known as TOOLZ in the entertainment industry is one woman who has had a spiralling romance with success since relocating to Nigeria. Popular for her hour glass curvy body and clean use of English. She is today known as one of the most popular and prominent mixed media personalities in the country. Awards after awards, endorsements, recognitions and more endorsements; Toolz is definitely sailing high and very fast up the ladder of success. Currently the face of the Vitafoam brand, she talks to us about building her self-confidence, being a feminist and gets witty with our hundred questions challenge.

Words by Franka Chiedu, Photographed by Obi Somto, Styled by Juliet David West, Make Up By Mary Jane for Zaron.

Did you experience any form of culture shock when you initially returned?

Absolutely! Before I moved back, I hadn’t visited Nigeria for about 10years, so it did take a while to get used to the power situation in Nigeria, and the mosquitoes had a field day (actually a few months) with me.

How long did it take you to blend into the system?

I’m still learning, sometimes you think you have blended in and understand things, and then Naija life can just throw you a curve ball.

Do you ever miss living abroad?

I do, but I don’t know if I would actually move back.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of returning to the country?

Be ready for anything and everything! And pray a lot! Things can go in whatever direction; this side of town is so unpredictable. Some people have it so good and some get it rough. So prayer is key.

Let’s talk body image and the entertainment scene in Nigeria, would you say being a curvy celebrity has done you more good than harm?

A bit of both really. Being curvy, ‘well-endowed’ if you please became synonymous with my name, and eventually became my ‘signature’ even though I wasn’t looking for that. On the flipside, you don’t see a lot of curvier, bigger ladies in the limelight, so it is unusual and difficult for some people to accept it. Nevertheless I do hope I can encourage more young girls that are curvy to love themselves and their bodies. It’s fine to be curvy, but it’s also important to be healthy, which is why I’m working on my fitness now.

How important is it for people to embrace their individuality and how have you been able to do this successfully?

I believe it is so important. Each person is God’s masterpiece, uniquely designed the way they are for a purpose. To be truly happy, you have to believe and embrace that. Building my self-esteem is not something that happened over night and is truly not a walk in the park. I would be lying if I said it was; it takes a certain consciousness and realisation that you can only be yourself and nobody else. It takes a lot of work and self-belief. Something I’m constantly working on by the day.

How would you rate you confidence level now… was there a time you felt insecure about yourself?

Pretty high now, but I’m only human, so it does change. My confidence level is often intertwined with how successful I am at work, and how well my personal life is going. If I’m working hard, seeing results and happy with my personal life, my confidence is sky high; but when things don’t work as smoothly as I wish they would it dampens my confidence but then I know it’s something that happens to everyone really.

We know you are in love with someone, should we be expecting wedding bells soon?

I always say God’s timing is the best and marriage isn’t something I take lightly. I think a lot of people nowadays get married for the wrong reasons, which is probably why the divorce rate is so high now. Having said that, I do want to settle down soon, but I don’t know if I’ll make a huge announcement when I decide to get married.

Would you call yourself a feminist?

If a feminist is defined is someone that advocates or supports the rights and equality of women, then absolutely!

Would you be exploring other angles in entertainment and fashion?

Yes, I’m working on a role change in the entertainment industry, so more projects behind the scenes. So guys be on the lookout.

The 100 Questions Challenge

What’s your favourite book at the moment?

Power Thoughts by Joyce Meyer

Who is the most important person in your life?

I have several! I can’t pick!

What is your priceless possession?

My charm bracelet given to me by someone very special

What caused your last break up?

Miscommunication

What is your mother’s maiden name?

Pass

Who do you look like, your mother or father?

My Mother

Where were you born?

UK

If you were a car what type would you be?

Range Rover Evoque

Beyoncé or Rihanna?

Queen Bey

Water or soda?

Ribena!

What music genre are you inclined to

Rap

What’s your favourite travel destination?

Somewhere with a beach

Which country do you wish to visit?

Jamaica

What two items must we find on your bag?

Sanitizer and my lipstick

Who is your favourite designer at the moment?

Vivienne Westwood

What’s your star?

Cancer

Worst date ever?

A few years ago. I tried to escape through the bathroom window, but it had bars

Best movie till date?

Sound of Music

 What celebrity do you want to meet?

Oprah

How old is your mother?

Lol pass

What’s your favourite colour?

Red

If you were a tree what tree would you be?

Palm tree

What age did you first have sex?

27 😉

Shoes or bags?

Shoes

Already made or tailored to fit?

Tailored to fit, because of my a**

Black or white?

Black

To fly, walk or swim?

Swim

What super powers do you wish you had?

The power to read minds

Hardest thing you’ve ever done?

Cut someone out of my life

Have you ever had a crush on your best friend’s boyfriend?

Looool no!

Have you ever left the house pant-less?

No!

Have you ever had the need to switch accents?

Well adapt yes, my accent was a bit too British when I started

Do you think Nigeria is amazing?

Yes…potentially

What are you mostly afraid of?

Failure

Have you ever been heartbroken?

Plenty times!!

Do you miss your first love?

Errr no!

 Do you believe in one true love?

Yes

Are you religious or indifferent?

Trying to be more religious

Hard or slow sex?

Lol mix and match

Have you ever been afraid of doing a blood test for HIV?

Nervous, but not scared. I don’t like seeing blood

Can you manage a snoring partner?

Depends on how loud they are.

Do you fart in front of people?

Doesn’t everyone release silent ones in public every now and then? Lol!

Do you smoke?

No

How many cups of water do you consume a day?

2-3 bottles

What’s the worst line a guy can ever use for a girl?

Did it hurt when you fell from heaven? That line deserves a head-butt

To bleach or not to bleach?

Not to bleach

London or US?

London

Drugs or injections?

Drugs

Have you ever smoked weed?

Puff, puff pass on this one

What’s your mantra in life?

‘Nothing Worth Having Comes Easy’

What celebrity do you wish you were?

Hmmm… Toolz

At what age did you get your first kiss?

13, I think

What’s your favourite slang at the moment?

Girl bye!

What’s the most inappropriate thing to say to a lady?

You are pretty for a dark-skinned chic

In your next life what would you like to be?

A screen goddess

Dogs or cats?

Dogs

What is up?

Clouds

What is down?

The Naira

Largest city in Africa?

In terms of people, it has to be Lagos

Longest bridge in Africa?

3rd Mainland Bridge

How old is your country?

54 if we go by Independence

Do you have a spouse?

Yes

Are you happy?

Most times

What’s the nicest thing you ever done for a friend?

Let them live with me

Have you ever been slapped?

Yes

Fish tail or head?

Tail

Favourite lyric from a song?

Never Trust a Big Butt And a smile

What is your worst habit?

I’m impatient

What is your favourite TV SHOW?

Top gear

What’s your favourite character on TV?

Pass

Favourite song of the nineties?

Pass

In 3 words define your style?

Pass

How often do you lie?

Never

Red carpets or backstage?

Backstage

Tattoos or piercings?

Both

What are your strengths?

I’m tenacious

What are your weaknesses?

I can be too sensitive and impatient

Are you an Optimist or pessimist?

A bit of both

Extrovert or introvert?

Introvert

Have you ever been drunk?

Lol Never!

A temptation you wish you could resist?

Ice cream

What’s the piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child?

No one owes you anything. Be prepared to work hard for success.

Who is the one person you would buy a pie and pint for right now?

Pass

Are you happy with the questions?

Sort of

Why?

Too many!!

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

30+

What’s your IQ LEVEL?

Very high lol

To dance, clap or sing?

Dance

To smoke, drink or have sex?

2 outta 3

What is the stupidest thing you’ve ever done?

Pass

What is your real age?

Pass

Do you masturbate?

Lol! Pass

SOURCE: BLANCK DIGITAL