Toyin Ajao
Toyin Ajao | |
|---|---|
 Toyin Ajao in 2025 | |
| Born | 13 July 1978 |
| Citizenship | Nigerian |
| Education | Obafemi Awolowo University King's College London University of Pretoria |
| Occupations | Scholar, activist, healer |
| Organisation | Ìmọ́lẹ̀ of Afrika Centre |
Toyin Ajao ⓘ(born 13 July 1978[1]) is a Nigerian scholar, feminist activist and healing practitioner.[2][3][4][5] She is the founder of Ìmọ́lẹ̀ of Afrika Centre (ìAfrika), a non-profit working for marginalised African communities.[3][6] In celebration of Black History Month in 2024, University of Exeter mentioned her alongside Kimberle Crenshaw, Linda Dobbs and Audre Lorde as an inspirational Black scholar.[7]
Education
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 New Media.[3][8] She received an MA in Conflict, Security, and Development from King’s College London[3][8] and a B.Sc in Accounting from Obafemi Awolowo University.[3][9]
Career
Ajao intersects Afro-feminism, healing justice, Ubuntu philosophy, critical consciousness, conflict transformation, and neuroscience in her restorative healing work within civil society, queer and feminist spaces in Africa.[3][2][8] She was named one of the “10 African scholars to watch” in 2024 by The Africa Report[8] alongside Simukai Chigudu, Satang Nabaneh and Naminata Diabate.
She is the founder and director of Ìmọ́lẹ̀ of Afrika Centre (ìAfrika), where she leads projects that incorporate indigenous healing traditions and ancestral knowledge with contemporary restorative strategies to address intergenerational trauma and strengthen community resilience.[3][4][5][8] She is affiliated with African Leadership Centre, King's College London as a Research associate and an alumna.[3][4]
References
- ↑ Kediran, Mutiu Iyanda (18 May 2011). "Press Release: Toyin Ajao (TheActivist) Gets All Expense Paid Trip to Kenya as Winner of Global Women's Blogging Competition". Mutiu Iyanda Kediran. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
- 1 2 "Black History Month". University of Exeter Law Bulletin. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Ayeni, Victor (27 September 2025). "Before Stardom With Dr Toyin Ajao, 'Moon Goddess'". The Punch. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
- 1 2 3 Ayeni, Victor (16 August 2025). "UK-based Expert Calls For Community-Centred Empathy". The Punch. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
- 1 2 Ayeni, Victor (17 August 2025). "Are Nigerians Trapped In Collective Trauma?". The Punch. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
- ↑ "Iafrika underscores crucial role of healing in society". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. 10 September 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
- ↑ "Black History Month Inspirational Gallery". University of Exeter Law School. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Bojang Jnr, Sheriff (23 January 2024). "10 African scholars to watch in 2024". The Africa Report. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
- ↑ Vanguard News. (2012, April 6). "My work with young women has been fantastic - Oluwatoyin Ajao". Retrieved August 6, 2025.