Nigerian actress Juliana Olayode, popularly known for her role as Toyo Baby, has officially added a new title to her name—certified professional therapist and counsellor.
The actress revealed that her passion for counselling has long been a natural calling, driven by a deep desire to see people heal, grow, and experience transformation. However, she noted that she pursued formal training to move beyond intuition and personal experience, equipping herself with professional skills to better support others.
Opening up about her journey, Olayode shared that her own encounters with pain and trauma played a significant role in shaping her decision. According to her, these experiences gave her firsthand understanding of emotional struggles, including the reality of appearing fine while dealing with inner battles.
She described the academic process as intense and demanding, especially as she balanced her studies with her career and other responsibilities. At several points, she admitted, she considered giving up.
Despite the challenges, Olayode credited her support system—including her family, mentors, tutors, classmates, and gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey—for helping her stay the course.
Reflecting on the experience, she described it as transformative, saying the training not only equipped her to help others but also brought about personal healing.
Now stepping into this new phase, Olayode reintroduced herself with an expanded identity that includes therapist, counsellor, executive producer, actor, author, speaker, influencer, and advocate.
Expressing excitement about the future, she said she feels honoured to serve people in her new professional capacity, combining her faith and expertise to guide others toward healing and wholeness.