“You prove that your past does not define your future and that limitations are only illusions.”
These words, written by an LFBI volunteer as part of a collection of birthday wishes for Toyin Abraham-Ajeyemi, captured one of the sentiments that shaped her birthday celebration at the Lagos Food Bank Initiative (LFBI).
On Thursday, September 3, 2026, the Nollywood actress, filmmaker and director partnered with LFBI for a Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) outreach at the organisation’s warehouse in Mangoro, Ikeja. Two days before her birthday on September 5, Toyin chose to celebrate by supporting resilient women and households experiencing food insecurity.
The celebration began with Toyin dancing and interacting with the LFBI and volunteers before joining the distribution of nutritious food boxes to beneficiaries. The lively moments at the warehouse soon gave way to more personal ones as Toyin connected with the people she had come to support.
As part of the celebration, Dr. Michael Sunbola, Executive Director of LFBI, presented Toyin with birthday wishes written by volunteers. One of the messages described her as a “powerhouse of resilience” and commended her journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of Nollywood’s highest-grossing filmmakers. The heartfelt words moved Toyin deeply.
Dr. Sunbola also appreciated Toyin for choosing to mark her birthday by supporting families facing food insecurity, commending her decision of turning a personal milestone into an opportunity for community impact.
Toyin Abraham also addressed the gathering, sharing her thoughts on the birthday celebration and her decision to give back. She spoke about the importance of supporting others and making the celebration meaningful beyond herself.
One of the most emotional moments of the day came when elderly women gathered around Toyin and prayed for her. As they spoke blessings over her life and expressed their gratitude, Toyin became visibly emotional. The prayers created a deeply personal moment between the celebrant and the women she had come to support.
Her giving also extended beyond the food distribution. Toyin provided cash support to some beneficiaries, explaining that although the production of her recently released movie had stretched her resources, she still wanted to give from what she had.
For the beneficiaries, the outreach provided immediate food support while giving them an opportunity to participate in Toyin’s birthday celebration. Their prayers, interactions and expressions of gratitude became an important part of the day, turning the outreach into more than a distribution exercise.
Through TEFAP, LFBI continues to provide immediate food assistance to households experiencing food insecurity.