Toun Okewale Sonaiya Biography
Toun Okewale Sonaiya is a pioneering Nigerian radio broadcaster, media entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for women’s empowerment. She is best known as the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Women Radio 91.7 FM (WFM 91.7), Nigeria’s first and only radio station dedicated exclusively to women and their families. Launched in 2015, the station marked a significant milestone in African media by creating a platform that amplifies female voices, addresses gender-specific issues, and promotes equity in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
With over three decades of experience spanning broadcast journalism in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, Sonaiya has built a career focused on using media as a tool for social change. Her work extends beyond radio to include advocacy, training programs, and leadership roles that support women’s development, anti-corruption efforts, and community empowerment. She remains a prominent voice in efforts to reshape narratives around gender, leadership, and family in Nigeria.
Toun Okewale Sonaiya Early Life and Background
Toun Okewale Sonaiya was born Toun Okewale in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. She grew up in an environment deeply connected to broadcasting. Her father worked as a broadcaster, which exposed her early to the world of media. She spent time in television settings in Ibadan and radio environments in Abeokuta, accompanying her father to stations and observing the behind-the-scenes work.
This upbringing sparked her interest in radio from a young age. At just seven years old, she began participating in children’s programs on Ogun Radio, reading poems, telling stories, and singing songs. These early experiences laid the foundation for her lifelong passion. She is the fourth of five children in a dynamic family. Her late father served as her hero and inspiration, while her mother, a retired teacher and disciplinarian, continued to run a mini-mart and stay active well into her later years.
The blend of creativity, discipline, and public service in her family home shaped her values. These early influences instilled in her a sense of purpose that would later drive her to create opportunities for other women through media.
Toun Okewale Sonaiya Education
Toun Okewale Sonaiya attended Abeokuta Girls Grammar School for her secondary education. She pursued higher studies at Ogun State University, now known as Olabisi Onabanjo University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Her academic background in English complemented her natural talent for communication and storytelling.
She also studied at Trans Atlantic College in the United Kingdom, further enhancing her skills in media and related fields. Throughout her student years, she balanced academics with practical broadcasting experience, often traveling to Abeokuta on weekends to work at radio stations. This hands-on approach during her polytechnic and university days gave her a strong foundation in production, presentation, and program management.
Toun Okewale Sonaiya Career
Toun Okewale Sonaiya’s career in broadcasting began in earnest during her youth service at the Ministry of Information in Ibadan. She contributed to programs such as Spotlight and Insight for BCOS and NTA. After completing her service, she returned to Ogun Radio, where she worked as a continuity announcer, presenter, and producer at OGBC-2 FM. She spent over 19 years at the Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation, gaining valuable experience under mentors like Olusesan Ekisola and Mrs. Moji Okubanjo.
Her career took an international turn when she joined DAAR Communications and later moved to the United Kingdom. She became the first African female presenter and producer at Choice 107.1 FM (now Capital Extra) in London, promoting African music, particularly from Nigeria. She also served as the first African female voice for the BBC’s “One for All” educational campaign in Africa. Additionally, she produced a 13-episode independent TV series for OHTV London.
In Nigeria, she held leadership positions, including Director of Marketing and Sales at AIT and Director of Programmes at DAAR Communications. She worked as Executive Director at St. Ives Communications and gained experience supporting vulnerable women through roles at Housing for Women in the UK, assisting trafficked women, ex-offenders, and single parents. These experiences deeply influenced her vision for a women-focused media platform.
Toun Okewale Sonaiya Women Radio 91.7 FM and Media Innovations
The pinnacle of Toun Okewale Sonaiya’s career came with the establishment of Women Radio 91.7 FM. Motivated by a 2012 study showing that only 17.5 percent of radio programs targeted women—and many of those were unbalanced or stereotypical—she and her directors decided to fill this gap. They applied for a license under St. Ives Communications Ltd in 2010. After years of waiting, they received approval in 2015 and launched the station on December 18, 2015 (some sources note test transmissions around that period).
WFM 91.7 operates as Nigeria’s first female-centric and gender-sensitive radio station, also recognized as the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa. Headquartered in Arepo, Ogun State, with a signal reaching parts of Lagos, the station focuses on women’s development, health, family issues, politics, business, governance, and youth affairs from a female perspective. It challenges stereotypes by highlighting women’s agency and leadership.
Key initiatives under her leadership include TheWomenAgenda, which empowers women and girls as anti-corruption advocates through grassroots clubs in Lagos and Ogun States. The station also runs the Women in Radio Development (WINRAD) network, the Women Radio Centre (Nigeria’s first women-focused media academy), and annual programs like the Voice of Women Conference and Awards (VOW). Through EquipHer, it trains hundreds of disadvantaged women and girls in entrepreneurship each year.
Toun Okewale Sonaiya Achievements
Toun Okewale Sonaiya has received numerous recognitions for her contributions. She was inducted into the Nigerian Women Hall of Fame as the first woman to establish a radio station dedicated to women. She has been honored by the Nigeria House of Representatives with the Nigeria Women Merit Award and named among Nigeria’s influential women in journalism and media.
Her station and initiatives have impacted thousands through training, advocacy against gender-based violence, and promotion of women’s political participation and economic empowerment. She serves on boards and as a trustee for organizations including the Centre for Women’s Health and Information, Transformative Leadership and Sustainable Initiative, Maami, Ives Medicare, and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s review panels. She is also a founding member of Nigerian Women in Diaspora.
Sonaiya has moderated national and international conferences and interviewed global figures such as Miriam Makeba, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Manu Dibango, Oumou Sangare, Professor Remi Sonaiya, and Erelu Bisi Fayemi. In early 2026, she was appointed Chair of the Board of St. Ives Communications Ltd.
Toun Okewale Sonaiya Personal Life
Toun Okewale Sonaiya is married with children. She values family highly and draws strength from her supportive husband and siblings. Despite her demanding career, she maintains a grounded lifestyle and enjoys simple pleasures like a bowl of garri with roasted groundnuts. Her mother’s resilience continues to inspire her.
She has spoken about the challenges of balancing professional ambitions with family life, often emphasizing the importance of support systems for working women. Her personal experiences with media and social issues have fueled her commitment to creating platforms that help other women navigate similar paths.
Toun Okewale Sonaiya Legacy and Impact
Toun Okewale Sonaiya’s work demonstrates the transformative power of media when used intentionally for social good. By founding Women Radio, she created a space where women’s stories are told authentically, fostering dialogue on critical issues and inspiring generations. Her emphasis on impact over financial gain reflects a philosophy centered on service and empowerment.
Through training programs, awards, and advocacy, she continues to build capacity for female journalists and leaders. Her story serves as a model for aspiring broadcasters and entrepreneurs, particularly women seeking to break barriers in male-dominated fields.
Conclusion
Toun Okewale Sonaiya stands as a trailblazer whose dedication to women’s voices has reshaped parts of Nigeria’s media landscape. From her childhood days on radio to leading a pioneering station, her journey highlights persistence, vision, and the belief in media as a force for equity. As she continues her work, her contributions promise lasting benefits for women, families, and society at large.
FAQs
Who is Toun Okewale Sonaiya?
Toun Okewale Sonaiya is a Nigerian broadcaster and media entrepreneur best known for founding Women Radio 91.7 FM, the country’s first radio station dedicated to women.
When and where was Toun Okewale Sonaiya born?
She was born in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Specific date details are not widely publicized, but she has referenced being in her late 50s in recent years.
What is Toun Okewale Sonaiya most famous for?
She is most famous for establishing and leading WFM 91.7, Nigeria’s pioneering women-centric radio station launched in 2015.
What are some key achievements of Toun Okewale Sonaiya?
Key achievements include creating the first women-focused radio station in Nigeria, receiving honors like induction into the Nigerian Women Hall of Fame, and leading impactful programs on gender equity and anti-corruption.
Is Toun Okewale Sonaiya married?
Yes, she is married with children and often speaks about the importance of family support in her career.
What inspired Toun Okewale Sonaiya to start Women Radio?
A study revealing the lack of quality, balanced programming for women, combined with her experiences supporting vulnerable women, inspired her to create a dedicated platform.