MOI AWARDS 2025: Two Women of Steel Building Value Across Africa

At the just-concluded MOI Awards 2025, held at Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, two women stood out in a very special way. In Africa, where many women still face fear, doubt, and limits, Dr. Moji Davids and Folashade “Shade” Balogun walked on stage as and embodied something different: courage, consistency and the kind of work ethic that builds real value from the ground up.

Both women were honoured with the Women of Steel recognition, but their journeys could not be more distinct. One chose the “bush”, the farms, fields and forgotten rural spaces. The other chose blueprints and new cities, turning empty land into planned communities and investment hubs.

Together, they represent a powerful message to young African women: you can be anything you want – a farmer, a city-builder, an investor, a visionary.

Moji Davids: The Farmer Who Refused to Be Invisible

Dr Moji Davids has spent many years working “in the bush”, on farms, in fields, and in places most people don’t see on TV. Farming is not easy. There are problems like bad weather, insecurity, and unstable prices. But Moji did not give up. For about 18 years, she and her husband have built their company together. Many people only know her name, but she always remembers that they started it as a team.

While receiving the award, Moji said…

“Good evening, everyone. I am truly overwhelmed and deeply honoured. I want to say a very big thank you to the MOI Awards.

I don’t know how farmers started getting noticed. You know, when you’re there in the bush doing all you can to promote agriculture and tourism in Nigeria and Africa, when you’re there in the bush trying to make sure that everybody has good food,and healthy food for that matter, when you’re there in the bush trying to create jobs for thousands of our unemployed youth, when you’re there in the bush trying to change the narrative around agriculture and agribusiness, not only in Nigeria but Africa globally, and you are being noticed… honestly, I just want to say thank you.

I also want to say a very big thank you to my husband for allowing me to shine. We co-founded the company about 18 years ago, but people don’t really know it. It’s me they know.

Thank you, MOI. Thank you, Nigeria, for believing in us. This is just a call for us to do more.

I’m here with my family, and I want to say thank you. Thank you so much for your support. I wouldn’t have come this far without you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Shade Balogun: The City Builder with a Big Dream

Folashade “Shade” Balogun works with a different kind of land. Through Amen City and related projects, she helps turn empty land into estates and communities where people can live, work, and raise their families.

While receiving the award, Shade said…

“Being named the MOI Woman of Steel is an incredible honour. It is a reminder of how powerful vision, resilience and integrity can be when we choose to build, not just structures, but opportunities and communities.

To my Amen City family, our partners, and every investor who believes in the future we’re creating at Amen City, this award belongs to us all.

This award is dedicated to God Almighty, and I hope my journey inspires every woman to take up space and dream fearlessly.

Thank you very much.”