Lagos-born content creator and entrepreneur, Bakare Mariam Iyunade, popularly known as Mariams ASMR, is carving a unique niche in Nigeria’s digital space as one of the pioneering voices in Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) content.

“I wanted to create something different — content that helps people relax, reduce stress, and find calmness in their daily lives,” Bakare said in a recent interview. “ASMR gave me that opportunity, and I’m proud to be building this space in Nigeria.”

Bakare is the founder of Mariam’s ASMR Studio, which she describes as one of the first dedicated ASMR studios in Africa. She is also the founder of Maiycare Enterprise Ltd, a cosmetics company that reflects her passion for beauty and entrepreneurship.

Born on March 14, 1995, in Lagos, Bakare hails from Odo Otin Local Government Area of Osun State. She spent her early years in Lagos before her family relocated to Ogun State in 2004 due to financial difficulties.

“Helping my mother sell snacks as a child taught me the value of hard work and resilience,” she recalled. “Those experiences shaped my entrepreneurial mindset from a very young age.”

Bakare attended several schools in Lagos, including St. Bernadette Nursery and Primary School, Mother Choice School, and Assumpta Glad Children School. After moving to Ogun State, she completed her primary education at Obafemi Awolowo Primary School in Ikenne Remo and later graduated from Ikenne Community High School in 2011.

She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacology from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu Campus, graduating with a Second Class Upper Division in 2018. She then served in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in Edo State, where she was crowned Miss NYSC Edo State in 2019.

Before venturing fully into content creation, Bakare was actively involved in beauty pageants, winning titles such as Miss Isanbi (2016), Miss Glo Ojude Oba (2017), Miss Epe Lagos State (2018), and Miss NYSC Edo State (2019). From 2018 to 2022, she also served as Vice President of the Youth Association in Ikenne Remo, contributing to youth development and community projects.

Bakare began creating ASMR content professionally in 2018, drawing inspiration from global creators such as ASMR TheChew, Jojo’s ASMR, Gibi ASMR, and ASMR Zeitgeist.

“ASMR is not just about sounds and visuals — it’s about triggering that beautiful tingling sensation that brings genuine relaxation,” she explained. “I focus on high-quality sound recording, gentle visuals, and thoughtful triggers that resonate with my audience.”

Over the years, she has grown her platform significantly while expanding into entrepreneurship through her cosmetics line. Her work continues to blend digital creativity with business acumen, making her one of the notable figures in Nigeria’s evolving creator economy.

Bakare’s journey reflects a new generation of Nigerian digital entrepreneurs who are turning personal passion into sustainable careers while contributing to the country’s soft power through original content.