Why I went under the knife –Mariam Oyakhilome

By Rita Okoye

Popular Nigerian comedian, actress, YouTuber, brand influencer and entrepreneur, Mariam Oyakhilome, has opened up about her recent cosmetic surgery, revealing that she underwent liposuction to achieve the body shape she desired after years of struggling with excess abdominal fat.

“I was tired of having a big stomach, so I decided to do something about it. I had liposuction, not a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). Personally, I would not advise someone who has not given birth to undergo a tummy tuck. Liposuction is a better option for removing excess fat around the tummy,” she told Saturday Sun.

According to her, the procedure not only transformed her appearance but also boosted her self-confidence.

“My body looks beautiful now, and I am proud of myself. I felt it was important to be honest about how I achieved this transformation rather than attribute it to products that had nothing to do with it,” she said.

The entertainer further disclosed that several slimming tea brands had approached her for endorsement deals following her transformation, but she declined because she did not want to mislead her followers.

“A lot of slimming tea brands wanted me to promote their products, but I couldn’t do that because it wouldn’t be truthful. I believe in being honest with my audience,” she added.

Addressing concerns about the potential risks associated with liposuction, Oyakhilome maintained that her experience was largely positive.

“Many people have asked me to show them the scars from the procedure, but I don’t really have visible scars. There were only tiny incision marks on my elbows and a small one below my tummy. I came home after seven days and recovered well,” she noted.

Beyond discussing physical transformation, the Edo State-born diva also reflected on her recent absence from social media, revealing that emotional challenges and the increasingly toxic nature of online platforms contributed to her decision to step away.

“Social media became too toxic for me, and at the same time, I was dealing with a very painful heartbreak that affected me deeply. I left Instagram first and moved to Facebook, where I had over 2.2 million followers. After some time, I left there too,” she recalled.

Despite her frustrations, Oyakhilome acknowledged that digital content creation remains her strongest professional calling. 

“Honestly, social media is what I know best. I tried several businesses, but they didn’t work out the way I expected. Eventually, I had to remind myself that this is where my strength lies and return to doing what I do best,” she concluded.