Draft:Toyin Ajao

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Toyin Ajao
photo of Ajao in 2022
Ajao in 2022
Born (1978-07-13) 13 July 1978 (age 47)
Ikirun, Osun State
NationalityNigerian
Other namesMoon Goddess, Dr Witch, Gypsy Oríṣà
EducationPhD
Alma materObafemi Awolowo University King's College London University of Pretoria
Occupation(s)Scholar, Activist, Restorative Healing Practitioner
OrganisationÌmọ́lẹ̀ of Afrika Centre

Toyin Ajao (born 13 July 1978), also known as Moon Goddess [1] is a Nigerian interdisciplinary public scholar, feminist activist, and restorative healing researcher-practitioner.[2][3][4] Her work connects scholarship and activism, addressing systemic change through conflict transformation and indigenous knowledge systems such as Ubuntu philosophy and healing justice framework.[2][3][4] She collaborates across marginalised communities, civil society, academia, and feminist organisations.[2][5][6]

She is the founder of Ìmọ́lẹ̀ of Afrika Centre (ìAfrika), a non-profit focused on intergenerational and collective trauma recovery and social cohesion through African-centred methodologies.[3][4][6][7][8]

Education

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Born in Ikirun, Osun State in 1978, Ajao holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Pretoria, with a focus on conflict transformation and citizen journalism.[5] She received an MA in Conflict, Security, and Development from King’s College London[4], and a B.Sc in Accounting from Obafemi Awolowo University.[9]

Career

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Ajao worked with BAOBAB for Women's Human Rights and Communicating for Change earlier in her career, before joining Women's Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC) in 2008 as Project Coordinator, leading initiatives to increase Nigerian women's participation in technology.[9][10] She later became CEO of Standtall Consulting, leading projects focused on gender equality and sexual rights.[9]

Through her genderandme blog, which she started in 2008, Ajao wrote on topics such as gender inequality, systemic oppression, and women's experiences in patriarchal societies. Her 'Interview on Thursday' series featured guest contributors discussing social justice issues.[11][12]

In 2009, Ajao received the BlogHer International Activist Award,[13] and two years later, she won the Women Deliver Global Blogging Competition, which funded her research trip to document a carbon water initiative in Kenya.[14][15]

In 2011, Ajao participated in the 55th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York as part of an eight-member delegation of African Leadership Centre (ALC) fellows.[9] The group sought to address the underrepresentation of women in formal peace processes by advocating for better documentation of women’s roles as community-level peacebuilders.[9]

Since 2012, Ajao has been a research associate at the African Leadership Centre, King's College London and Nairobi, where she researches peace and conflict issues and mentors fellows.[10][16]

From 2014 to 2016, during her doctoral studies, Ajao worked as an assistant lecturer in the University of Pretoria's Department of Political Science, where she taught undergraduate courses and participated in academic research related to peace and conflict studies.[17]

From 2018 to 2021, she was the coordinator of the ALC Alumni Association.[1] During her tenure, a virtual conference on African peace and leadership was organised in 2021 featuring Funmi Olonisakin, Abiodun Alao, Awino Okech, and Fatima Akilu.[18][19]

In 2020, Ajao founded Ìmọ́lẹ̀ of Afrika Centre (ìAfrika) and currently serves as Director.[3][4][20]

Other Activities

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From 2023 to 2024, Ajao served on the advisory board of W.TEC [21] and currently supports The Resilience Project, a UK-based organisation helping young climate activists build resilience.[22]. She chairs the board of Vision Spring Initiatives (VSI), an NGO promoting human rights, gender justice, and social development.[23]

Grant and Recognition

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  • 2014–2017 Mellon Foundation Doctoral Research Awardee.[17]
  • 2015 & 2017 SSRC Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa Doctoral Award. [24][25]
  • 2015–2016 African Leadership Centre (ALC) Doctoral Research Grant.[26]
  • In 2024, The Africa Report named Ajao among its selection of notable African scholars.[5]
  • In 2025, Franklin International Publishing named her one of the top 10 African Academic Heroes. [3]
  • In 2025, African Eye Television listed her in the 10 most educated Africans category.[4]

Fellowships

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  • 2010 African Junior Professional Fellowship Program, International Peace Institute (IPI). [27]
  • 2009-2010 African Women Peace and Security Fellowship, African Leadership Centre, King's College London.[10]

Publications

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References

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  1. ^ a b The Feminist Republik. (2020). Dzuwa: Healing Justice in African Communities, Vol. 1, Issue 1 (PDF). pp. 22–25, 53.
  2. ^ a b c "Black History Month". University of Exeter Law Bulletin. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Academic Heroes of Africa: A Comprehensive Analysis of Intellectual Trailblazers". Franklin International Publishers. 2025. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e f 10 Most Educated Africans. African Eye Television. 1 August 2025. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  5. ^ a b c The Africa Report. (2024). "10 African scholars to watch in 2024". Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Panorama Soruyor: Happy and Hopey Birthday Africa - Volkan Ipek". Global Panorama. June 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  7. ^ Like Yemoja, We Are Liberated (PDF) (Report). Purposeful. 2023. pp. 9–13. Retrieved 1 August 2025. Feminist mobilization through collective and individual healing by Mary Mam Degen Fye
  8. ^ "Iafrika underscores crucial role of healing in society". Guardian Nigeria. 10 September 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  9. ^ a b c d e Vanguard News. (2012, April 6). "My work with young women has been fantastic - Oluwatoyin Ajao". Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  10. ^ a b c "Toyin Ajao". King's College London. 5 March 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  11. ^ "The Activist". Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  12. ^ True Love West Africa Magazine. (2009, October). "Advancing the rights of women: Oluwatoyin Ajao, Standtall The Activist." p. 75.
  13. ^ "Malawi: Blogger wins BlogHer International Activist Award". Global Voices. 6 June 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
  14. ^ "Press Release: Toyin Ajao, The Activist gets all expense paid trip to Kenya as winner of Global Women's Blogging Competition". Perspective. 18 May 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  15. ^ "World Women Bloggers Visiting Kenya- Posted by Womenenews Kenya". World Pulse. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  16. ^ "Toyin Ajao". The African Leadership Centre. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  17. ^ a b "Faculty Research Theme: Peace and Conflict in Africa". University of Pretoria Department of Political Sciences. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  18. ^ African Studies Association. (2020). Annual Meeting Program (PDF). p. 33.
  19. ^ London, King's College (27 March 2021). "African Leadership Centre Alumni Conference". King's College London. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  20. ^ London, King's College (24 September 2024). "Walking in Healing Soulidarity: ìAfrika's healing justice approach to intergenerational trauma". King's College London. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  21. ^ "We're thrilled to welcome Tinuade Oguntuyi to W.TEC's Advisory Board! | Women's Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC) wteconline". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  22. ^ "Our Advisors". The Resilience Project. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  23. ^ Vision Spring Initiative. (n.d.). Staff, Board & Leadership [Organization webpage]. Retrieved July 30, 2025, from https://vsinigeria.org/staff-board-leadership/
  24. ^ "Toyin Ajao". Social Science Research Council (SSRC). Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  25. ^ NEXT GENERATION SOCIAL SCIENCES IN AFRICA 2021, ed. (2021). Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa: Celebrating Ten Years of Funding Doctoral Studies in Africa (PDF) (Report). Social Science Research Council. p. 123.{{cite report}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: editors list (link)
  26. ^ Mare, Admire; Ajao, Toyin; Bado, Arsène Brice; Ogenga, Fredrick; Suleiman, Samaila; Ingabire, Chantal; Chitukutuku, Edmore (24 April 2019). "A Perspective on Next Generation Peacebuilding in Africa: What Next?". Kujenga Amani. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  27. ^ "African Junior Professionals Fellows Program, 2010". International Peace Institute. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
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