Sophia Momodu has opened up about the stigma she faced after having a child outside marriage with music star Davido.
The entrepreneur shared her experience during a panel in New York ahead of the United Nations General Assembly High Level Week.
Sophia said the situation was especially difficult because she is a pastor’s daughter. She also struggled with the attention that came with having a child with a global superstar.
“I am a pastor’s daughter who got pregnant out of wedlock by a global superstar. And I was mocked. It was crázy. And I had to find my strength in the midst of all that.”
Sophia Momodu says she lost her voice
According to Sophia, public judgement affected how she saw herself for years. She said fame did not give her the freedom to tell her own story.
“For the longest time, I didn’t have a voice. I was famous, I was popular, but I didn’t have a voice.”
She explained that the negativity surrounding her relationship with Davido often drowned out her personal experience.
“If you’re Nigerian and you’re here, you know that it’s almost a taboo to be a pastor’s daughter and have a child out of wedlock,” she said.
Sophia also recalled how an aunt advised her to stay quiet. She said she was told the subject was not one Black women should discuss publicly.
“I remember my aunt telling me that somebody told her, ‘Please keep quiet because this is not a topic that we are allowed to talk about as Black women.’”
She discovered other women shared her experience
Eventually, Sophia decided to speak publicly about her experience. She discussed her story in South Africa, including during radio interviews.
The response surprised her. Many women contacted her and shared similar experiences.
“And it was just amazing to see that I was not alone,” she said. “There were so many women that came to me and said, ‘Listen, it happened to me.’”
That experience helped Sophia understand that her story went beyond public gossip. It also encouraged her advocacy for women and children.
Sophia and Davido’s long-running custody battle
Sophia and Davido welcomed their daughter, Imade, on May 14, 2015. Davido later confirmed through DNA testing that he was Imade’s biological father.
Their relationship has remained a major subject of public interest over the years. In 2024, Davido filed a case seeking joint custody and access to their daughter.
Sophia disputed his claims and opposed the custody arrangement. Their dispute later became a highly publicised legal battle.
In 2026, Davido reportedly decided to withdraw the case. He maintained that he only wanted joint custody and said he fought for his daughter.
Despite their complicated history, Sophia’s latest comments focus on her own journey. They also show how she found her voice beyond the headlines surrounding her relationship with Davido.
