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“I started off in sales and marketing for an e-commerce firm. I was supposed to play it safe. Stable job, good life. But I wanted more, so I quit my job and changed my story.” When Timini Egbuson says this in Martell’s Swift Diaries, his tone is calm, almost casual — but the weight of […]
“I started off in sales and marketing for an e-commerce firm. I was supposed to play it safe. Stable job, good life. But I wanted more, so I quit my job and changed my story.”
When Timini Egbuson says this in Martell’s Swift Diaries, his tone is calm, almost casual — but the weight of that decision lingers in the air. It’s the kind of moment that reshapes everything that comes after. The kind of moment that defines a Swift One.
Timini Egbuson is one of Nollywood’s brightest stars, but this time, he’s letting us see the story behind the shine. In Martell’s Swift Diaries, he opens up with rare honesty, tracing the quiet, uncertain beginnings that preceded the red carpets and awards. The series, true to its name, reads like a page torn straight from his personal journal — an introspective look at how audacity, risk, and reinvention made him who he is.
Before the actor we know today ever appeared on-screen, there was a young man with a stable 9-to-5 in sales and marketing — the kind of job that promises security, if not fulfillment. In those days, he was better known as “Dakore’s younger brother,” balancing his corporate role with a side hustle as his sister’s personal assistant. Respectable, yes. But far from the dream.
“If you don’t take risks, you’re not living. You’re just existing. What’s the fun in that?” Timini reflects in the episode. That conviction led him to quit his job – no backup plan, no guaranteed next step – and step into the uncertainty of Nollywood.
It’s this leap, this willingness to chase something bigger, that defines The Swift Ones: a select group of Nigerians celebrated by Martell for refusing to settle for comfort. They are the ones who step into the unknown and shape new paths. Timini, in every sense, embodies that spirit.
But bravery alone doesn’t guarantee success. After quitting his job, Timini entered a world of auditions and rejections – the kind of grind that tests conviction. “What people don’t see are the rejections and the nights I wondered if I’d just set myself up for failure,” he admits. Every whisper that credited his early opportunities to his sister’s fame only pushed him to work harder.
The turning point came with Elevator Baby. His portrayal of Dare, a man forced to confront vulnerability in crisis, was a breakout moment, the role that earned him an AMVCA and silenced any doubt about his range. From there, Timini became not just a familiar face but a force. One whose performances carried the self-assurance of someone who had bet on himself and won.
Now, he’s expanding that vision. As a producer, he’s exploring new stories, bringing to life projects like Reel Love, a romantic drama that went viral and broke box office expectations. “Nollywood isn’t done evolving, and neither am I. I’ve barely scratched the surface of the stories I have to tell,” he says.
It’s a statement that mirrors the ethos of The Swift Diaries itself – an ode to those who keep redefining the rules of their craft.
Timini’s story makes up just one chapter in Martell’s Swift Diaries, a larger celebration of Nigeria’s risk-takers; the creators, chefs, designers, and musicians who reinvent themselves with every move. Alongside fellow trailblazers including Chef Eros, Young Jonn, and Tubo, Timini embodies the spirit of the Swift Ones: bold, self-made, and unapologetically original.
Through his journey, Swift Diaries reminds us that legacy isn’t inherited – it’s built, one bold decision at a time.
Watch Timini’s Swift Diaries episode exclusively on Martell Nigeria’s official YouTube channel, and catch it on MTV Base and BET from October 23rd, 2025. Follow the journey on social media @MartellNigeria and join the conversation using #MartellSwiftOnes and #BeTheStandoutSwift.
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