Oluwatosin Ayodele, known professionally as MC Tosin, is a master of ceremonies, event host and traditional wedding compère. With a background in English and communications, she brings warmth, cultural awareness and thoughtful preparation to corporate events, conferences and celebrations. Her approach centres on understanding each audience and creating experiences that feel engaging, seamless and true to the occasion. In this interview, she shares her story.

Finding Her Voice as a Master of Ceremonies

I have always been social and drawn to spaces where people connect and celebrate. My journey began in my first year at the University of Ibadan, when I volunteered to host a Freshers’ programme for my campus fellowship. It went better than I expected, and referrals followed. I hosted events across campus, often pro bono, because I enjoyed the work and people trusted me with their events.

One memorable experience was travelling to OAU to co-host an award night with an on-air radio personality. It helped me see that hosting was more than something I enjoyed; I was good at it. After university, I pursued formal training. I first trained as a traditional wedding compère, or Alaga, thinking it was much the same as being an MC. I learned that they are distinct but complementary disciplines. Today, I practise both. I did not begin with a grand plan to build a career as an MC. I followed the opportunities, learned from each event and discovered how much I loved bringing people together. In many ways, the profession found me before I realized I had found it.

Connecting With Audiences Across Cultures

My multicultural background has made me curious about people and attentive to what makes each culture unique. Connecting with an audience means understanding who is in the room and making people feel seen and respected.

I pay attention to greetings, traditions, humour, music and how people expect important moments to be handled. Before an event, I learn about the people and the culture I am stepping into. There is no single approach that works for every audience. I need to listen and adapt without losing the warmth and energy that make me who I am. Then I bring my personality into that space while respecting its traditions. What connects us often comes down to laughter, music, love, family and the joy of a good celebration.

Creating Energy, Structure and Meaningful Engagement

The energy comes from loving the work, but you cannot pick up a microphone and freestyle your way through every event. Good hosting takes preparation. I want to know who will be in the room, why they are gathering and what the client wants them to take away.

That information shapes both the structure and my approach to engagement. If an audience has come to learn and I focus only on entertainment, I have missed the purpose. Those early conversations with a client are valuable because they tell me what success would feel like to them and where I need to guide the energy in the room. My role is to use my personality, creativity and experience to bring the client’s vision to life. The best MCs do more than fill time between activities; they help create an experience that feels seamless and true to the event.

Building the MC Tosin Brand

One challenge was showing people that I could work in two complementary spaces: as a professional MC and as an Alaga. Because I was doing well as a traditional wedding host, some people saw me primarily as a Yoruba-speaking compère. They could not easily picture me hosting a corporate event in English with the same confidence and polish.

I realized I had to show both sides of my work. Each event became a chance to build social proof, so I used videos, reels and captions to demonstrate my range. I also separated the two expressions of my brand. MC Tosin and OluwatosinAlaga are distinct, but they share my values and standard of excellence. It was a deliberate decision to make each service clear to the people looking for it. Giving each side its own space helped people understand what I offer.

How Visibility Opened Doors

No matter how excellent you are, visibility gives that excellence a chance to be recognized. People cannot engage with what they do not know exists. Some of my best clients saw me in action, discovered my page and connected with my work. Others came through referrals from people who had experienced it firsthand.

For me, visibility is more than promoting myself. It means showing up at events, collaborating, supporting local initiatives, creating content and letting people see the person behind the brand. Referrals matter enormously, but someone who has never attended an event I hosted may need another way to see how I work. As I became more discoverable, my work could speak for itself. That built trust and led to bookings, collaborations and relationships. Excellence is important, but people have to be able to find you first.

What She Learned From Moderating a Women Centred Conversation

I went to moderate the Women of Ruby Mother’s Day event, but I left feeling full and refreshed. Women shared their experiences, learned from one another and spoke openly about their journeys. It reminded me how necessary those spaces are. Hearing another woman’s story can help you realize that you are not alone or that you can take a step you had not thought possible.

When women share knowledge, celebrate each other’s wins, open doors and speak honestly about challenges, they encourage one another to grow. A conversation may offer someone perspective, confidence or the push she needs to take her next step. As a moderator, I do not always need to be the centre of attention. Some of the most meaningful work is helping create a room where others feel empowered to use their voices.

Looking Ahead to Day Two of Media Visibility Camp 6.0

I am excited to moderate Day Two and to learn from the speakers and the women in the room. I have become intentional about visibility while building my brand, but I know there is more to learn. I am especially interested in practical ideas about branding, positioning and communicating my value so that visibility leads to the right opportunities.

I also enjoy spaces where ambitious women encourage one another and exchange ideas. That atmosphere can make a conversation richer for everyone, including the person guiding it. I am looking forward to hearing different perspectives and taking practical lessons back to my own work. I will enter as the moderator, but I intend to leave as a learner too.

The People Who Inspired Her Journey

My late dad, Gabriel Olugbenga Ayodele, believed in me fiercely. He was present in our lives and never raised his four daughters to think there were rooms we could not enter because we were women. His belief shaped my drive, and I still hope I am making him proud.

Mrs. Yinka Ogunde showed me what it looks like to turn an idea into something meaningful. I worked with her when I was young and uncertain about my direction. She saw potential in me before I fully saw it myself, and she inspired me to build and lead.

As a student of literature, I also came to admire Chimamanda Adichie’s intellectual presence and the care with which she chooses her words. I am fascinated by her ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and beautifully, whether she is speaking or writing. She reminds me of the power of thinking deeply and communicating with clarity and substance.

Her Advice for Women Finding Their Voice

Believe that you belong on the stage and have something worth saying. The audience is made up of people who have come to listen, not wait for you to fail. If someone has given you a microphone, trust that they believe you have something to contribute.

Confidence also grows through preparation. Rehearse, know your material, understand your audience and take each opportunity seriously. Preparation gives you something to rely on when nerves appear. Most importantly, do it afraid. Accept the opportunity, prepare well and show up. Often it is only the first five minutes that feel shaky; then you find your rhythm. You improve each time you give yourself the chance.

What Is Next for MC Tosin

I feel as though I am only getting started. I want to host more corporate events, reach audiences beyond my city and province, and keep developing as a voice who can facilitate meaningful conversations.

I am also launching my podcast, MC Tosin’s Tea Room, in October. It will be a place for healthy, hearty and sometimes thought-provoking conversations about life and living. Alongside hosting on other people’s stages, I want to create a room of my own where people can laugh, learn and leave with a new perspective.

People can find me on Instagram at @Tosinthecompere, @Oluwatosinalaga_mc and @Mctosin_tearoom, or watch Tea with MC Tosin on YouTube. For bookings and collaborations, they can reach me through social media or at [email protected].