Sophia Momodu, the entrepreneur and ex-partner of Nigerian music star Davido, has spoken out about the stigma she faced after becoming pregnant outside marriage. In an interview at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Sophia shared her experience of being mocked and judged after announcing her pregnancy in 2015. She revealed that being a pastor's daughter made the pregnancy especially difficult, with many people expecting her to conform to certain standards of behavior.
Sophia's pregnancy was met with public judgement, with many people criticizing her for becoming pregnant outside marriage. She recalled how speaking publicly about her experience helped her realise she was not alone, with many women reaching out to her to share their own stories of similar experiences. Sophia's daughter, Imade, was born on May 14, 2015, and Davido later confirmed through DNA testing that he was the child's biological father.
Sophia explained that the stigma surrounding her pregnancy was partly due to her background as a pastor's daughter. In Nigerian culture, it is often considered taboo for a pastor's daughter to have a child outside of marriage. Sophia said that she was told to keep quiet about her experience, with some people advising her that it was not a topic that Black women were supposed to discuss.
Despite the challenges she faced, Sophia chose to speak out about her experience. She shared her story publicly, including on radio stations in South Africa, and was surprised by the response. Many women reached out to her to share their own stories of similar experiences, and Sophia said that this helped her to see her experience differently.
Sophia has previously spoken about experiencing postpartum depression after Imade's birth and has channelled some of her experiences into advocacy work supporting women and children. She established the Precious Jewels Foundation to reinforce her advocacy, and her speech at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York reveals more about who she is and less about Davido.
In 2024, Davido filed a case at the Lagos State High Court seeking joint custody and unrestricted access to their daughter. Sophia disputed his claims through her lawyers, alleging that she had been responsible for Imade's welfare. The custody dispute became another highly public chapter in their complicated history.
Sophia's story highlights the challenges faced by women in Nigeria who become pregnant outside of marriage. Her experience of stigma and judgement is a common one, and her decision to speak out about it has helped to raise awareness and support for women in similar situations. Sophia's journey towards finding her voice and advocating for others is an inspiring one, and her story is a testament to the power of speaking out against stigma and judgement.
Key points
- Sophia Momodu faced stigma and judgement after becoming pregnant outside marriage as a pastor's daughter.
- Sophia's experience highlights the challenges faced by women in Nigeria who become pregnant outside of marriage.
- Sophia has channelled her experiences into advocacy work supporting women and children through her Precious Jewels Foundation.
