Sophia Momodu Breaks Silence On Painful Stigma She Faced After Pregnancy Out Of Wedlock

Entrepreneur Sophia Momodu has opened up about the stigma, mockery and public scrutiny she faced after becoming pregnant out of wedlock, particularly because she is the daughter of a pastor.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Momodu shared her experience during a side panel at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, where she reflected on the challenges she encountered and how she eventually found the courage to speak publicly about her story.

The mother of Davido’s first child said the experience was particularly difficult because of the expectations and social pressure often associated with being a pastor’s daughter in Nigerian society.

Momodu explained that becoming pregnant by the Afrobeats star exposed her to intense public attention and ridicule, making it difficult for her to establish her own voice amid the widespread discussion surrounding her personal life.

“This is my life story. I am a pastor’s daughter who got pregnant out of wedlock by a global superstar. And I was mocked. It was crazy. And I had to find my strength in the midst of all of that,” she said.

She recalled that hearing other women share similar experiences eventually helped her realise that she was not alone. According to Momodu, several women approached her to recount similar experiences, which encouraged her to become more open about her own journey.

“It was just amazing to see that I was not alone. There were so many women that came to me and said, ‘Listen, it happened to me too,’” she added.

Momodu said she had previously been advised to remain silent about her experience, but speaking at different platforms gradually helped her understand the importance of sharing her story and owning her narrative.

She noted that her experiences have also strengthened her resolve to use her platform to advocate for women and encourage others who may have faced similar social stigma.

Momodu and Davido welcomed their daughter, Imade Adeleke, on May 14, 2015. The pair were never married and have since had a highly publicised dispute over issues relating to their daughter and co-parenting.

In April 2024, Davido filed a suit at the Lagos State High Court seeking joint custody and unrestricted access to Imade, while Momodu opposed the application.