She is 27 years old
Her full name is Apaokagi Adedoyin Maryam
She spent most of her childhood in Namibia, where she did her secondary education.
Her husband Abula (Abdulaziz Oladimeji) taught her video editing and encouraged her comedy start in 2015
As the last born of 5 children in a Muslim family, she enjoyed full "baby of the house" privileges.
She studied Tourism and Travel Service Management at Kwara State University (not her dream of becoming a doctor or lawyer)
Taaooma shoots 99% of her own videos and edits 100% herself.
She famously plays up to 10 different characters in a single skit, switching seamlessly. (you gotta respect the work ethic.. Phewww 🫡)
Her breakout 2019 skit was about African parents driving kids to school, full of iconic slaps
She also directs for The Greenade Company, a cinematography firm
Got engaged to Abula in Namibia in 2020 and married him in January 2021
In her skits, she often covers her hair as "Iya Tao" (mum character), which she says feels authentic to her. A deep religious and cultural representation 💯
She won Best Online Comedian at The Gage Awards in 2019
Was named in Nigeria's 25 under 25 for social entrepreneurship.
Her comedy was inspired by watching Nigerian stand-up like Basketmouth and Bovi while in Namibia.
She welcomed her first child, a baby girl named Amani Korede Makeda Greene, in late 2024.
Her signature slap comedy has made "Iya Tao" a cultural icon for relatable African parenting moments. Which in all honesty, you and I can pretty much relate to😫
Taaooma announced/launched the Maryam Apaokagi Initiative (MAI) foundation in 2023
She also partnered with Lagos Food Bank for food distribution and outreach to vulnerable women
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You see, Taaooma was among the few ladies that broke into the comedy industry in Nigeria.
Before she came on, comedy was sooo male-dominated and the whole attention was on skit makers like Twyse, Crazeclown, Sidney Talker, etc
Apart from Emmanuella, I can't really think of another prominent independent female skit maker. (many of them worked with the guys back then, but weren't really independent on their own)
So what did Taaooma do?
She saw that there was a gap and she could insert herself in there.
Then she used a very major tool.
Relatability.
She further niched down and make the Relatability more specific to the African culture and parenting style.
And that instantly clicked.
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Today I want you to learn something from Taaooma
In your field, I want you to start working round Relatability.
Whether you own a business, or you are a creator, or you are just starting out in that field... Your biggest advantage will be to craft yourself round Relatability.
You have to make your offerings, your contents, etc.... Feel very particular to your target audience.
Let them see themselves and their stories in what you are offering or creating.
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And lastly, you need to work sooooo hard when you've found the right click.
If you don't, you will be outworked by other people.
Taaooma started playing different characters all by herself, and she got very known for it.
Today, look at a lottttt of content creators using the similar idea concept.
And even before Taaooma did, it was Twyse that did it. (I will make a post on Twyse soonnn)
So you can see that nothing lasts forever.
Concepts and ideas will always evolve, and that's why when you've discovered a format that works so well for you, I want you to work super hard at milking that format and making the best out of it, before it evolves again.
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Do something today. Enough of the thinking and planning.
Do something about that concept today today today.
That's how you get moving. That's how you get clarity.
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Thank you very much for reading
Remember to drink enough water todayyyy 💦
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✍️ Vincent the Therapist
Taaooma was born in Ilorin, Kwara state. She creatively positioned herself uniquely in the media industry and gathered millions of followers, showing our young girls that they can achieve visible success in a male-dominated field.
Taaooma has worked with international brands like JAC Motors, Guinness, Tecno Mobile and other giants.
She also founded her own brand "Chop Tao" (finger foods/snacks)
Alongside her contents, Taaooma frequently advocates for gender equality and has used her skits to tackle global issues like domestic violence, rape culture, girls education, and women's issues.
@Taaooma_ is a good role model for our young African girls 🎉