Sophia Momodu Shares Emotional Journey at UNGA Speaking on Pregnancy Stigma and Parenting with Davido
Sophia Momodu, widely recognized as the mother of Afrobeats star Davido’s first child, recently took the stage at a high-profile panel discussion in New York. Speaking on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Momodu shared a deeply personal account of her journey through motherhood, public scrutiny, and cultural expectations.
Addressing an attentive audience, Momodu opened up about the emotional weight of falling pregnant while being the daughter of a pastor. The father of her child was a rapidly rising global superstar, making the situation even more intense. In Nigerian society, a pastor’s daughter carrying a child outside of marriage is often met with heavy moral judgment, a reality Momodu described as incredibly isolating.
Navigating Public Backlash and Silencing
According to Momodu, the public reaction to her pregnancy was overwhelming and hostile. Despite her status, she felt her voice was completely lost in the media storm. She recalled being urged by a relative, who was acting on behalf of someone else, to remain quiet. The message conveyed to her was that such personal matters were not supposed to be discussed openly by Black women.
However, her perspective shifted when another woman offered her a platform to share her story. This act of support inspired Momodu to break her silence and advocate for others facing similar societal pressures.
Co-parenting and Moving Forward
Momodu welcomed her daughter, Imade Adeleke, on May 14, 2015. Over the years, her relationship with the famous musician has kept her in the media spotlight, often subjecting her to intense online discussions. Despite these hurdles, she continues to focus on raising her daughter.
Recently, Momodu also delighted fans by sharing a warm, viral video showing her picking up Imade from school, demonstrating the strong bond the mother-daughter duo shares away from public controversies.