Dr Toyin Ajao: T for Trailblazer

Name: Toyin Bibitayo Ajao D.O.B: 13th July 1978 Education: PhD Holder

Other Monikers: Moon Goddess, Dr Witch, Gypsy Oríșà Occupation: Restorative Healing Researcher and Practitioner, Wholistic Wellbeing Consultant, Public Scholar and Feminist Activist Organisation: Ìmole of Afrika Centre (ìAfrika) Focus: Intergenerational and Collective Healing

Motto: Nurturing the Inner Transformation of Africans for Outward Impact. Notable Achievement: Named one of 10 Academic Heroes of Africa, 2025 by Fraklin International Publishers, and one of the 10 Scholars to Watch in 2024 by The African Report Additional Honour: University of Exeter Black History Month’s Inspirational Black Scholar 2024

Dr Toyin Ajao’s T for Trailblazer Pose

This is adding a cent to Jeffrey Ehijie's congratulatory post, shared below, with the author’s permission.

“Here is a heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Toyin Ajao (Moon Goddess) for being recognised as one of the most educated African individuals by The Motherland. I was honoured to participate in one of her educational sessions through the Media Advocacy Program held in Lagos, Nigeria. Her Soul Advocacy concept presents a holistic alternative to shaping narratives and changing mindsets, culture, and systems. An inspiration for my professional and personal development journeys.

Moon Goddess, as we know her in restorative healing spaces, was named one of the 10 African Scholars to Watch in 2024 by The Africa Report, and this recognition is entirely fitting because of her soulful contributions towards multigenerational and communal cohesion. She blends Ubuntu philosophy, healing justice, conflict transformation, ancient wisdom, critical consciousness, neuroscience principles, and Afro-feminist methodologies in her research and praxis work on intergenerational and collective trauma healing.

Dr Ajao is an alumna of the University of Pretoria, where she earned her PhD in 2018; King’s College London, where she earned an M.A. in Conflict Security and Development in 2012; and Obafemi Awolowo University, earning a B.Sc. in Accounting in 2002/2003. She founded the Ìmọ́lẹ̀ of Afrika Centre (ìAfrika) and Moon Goddess Consults, respectively, to continue impacting lives, changing hearts, and dismantling oppressive systems through collective and trauma-informed healing approaches on the continent of Africa.

Her evidence-based approach to inner “transformation for outward impact’’ is reflected in her ongoing partnership with the African Leadership Centre, King’s College London, and Nairobi, where she has served as a Research Associate for over a decade, contributing to feminist security scholarship and mentoring emerging African leaders, scholars, and practitioners.

She was the African Leadership Centre Alumni Coordinator from 2018 to 2021, organising scholarly events such as the 2021 virtual conference on peace and leadership in Africa, themed: “Peace and Wellbeing in Uncertain Times: Ten years of conceptualising security and leadership in Africa,” featuring keynote speaker Prof. Funmi Olonisakin, Vice President/Principal (International) of King’s College London, and other notable speakers such as Prof. Awino Okech (SOAS, University of London) and Dr. Fatima Akilu, Executive Director of Neem Foundation, Nigeria, a trained psychologist.

She is also in collaboration through the African Leadership Centre with Erelu Bis-Adeleye Fayemi, a leading practitioner in the Centre’s Practice of Leadership Programme, serving as her research aide.

Dr Ajao continues to trailblaze with daring ideas of change through her unflinching support for the marginalised community’s liberation and freedom. When asked by Mary Mam Degen Fye in Like Yemoja, We Are Liberated magazine interview (P.9), what drives her passion for change, she echoed how healing ourselves is connected with healing others (a quote by Yoko Ono) to transform relationships, structures and cultures. That’s words on marbles!

Once again, a big congratulations to you, Dr. Toyin Ajao, Moon Goddess of ìAfrika!”

See the original post here.