Mariya Aliko Dangote’s foundation begins operations with educational support in Kaduna, targeting girls’ education, skills acquisition, healthcare, basic needs and sustainable community development.

The Al-Ghiyath Aid Foundation, founded by Mariya Aliko Dangote, has officially flagged off operations with a donation of textbooks and learning materials to 90 women in Kaduna. The debut project signals the foundation’s plan to build long-term programmes around education, health, basic needs and community support.  

The distribution was done in partnership with Rebound Initiative for Young Women at one of its learning centres. Beneficiaries, aged 15 to 30, are women who dropped out of school after marriage and are now returning through flexible classes.  

Ibrahim Mamman Sani, a pioneer member of Al-Ghiyath and staff of Dangote Sugar Refinery, said the intervention is about creating independence, not charity. "This is Rebound Initiative. It is part of our education and empowerment pillar," he said. "The founder of Rebound is a friend. He knows my ability, he knows my connection, so he has been pestering me: 'How do we assist?' We said let’s start with this first."  

Funding the donation was not immediate. Sani said the foundation had to wait because it did not yet have a corporate account. "Hajia Mariya quickly opened that account, and that transfer was made from there," he explained. He noted the foundation’s website is still under construction, and this marks one of its earliest public activities.  

At the heart of Al-Ghiyath are four cardinal objectives. The first is meeting basic needs, food and shelter, especially during disasters. The second is medical support through partnerships for genuine cases. The third is education and empowerment, with emphasis on girl-child education and skill acquisition that makes people self-reliant. The fourth is community partnership targeting orphans and widows.  

Sani said the drive to give back is personal. "It’s just to give back to the society, because you never can tell. Most of us got some assistance from nowhere, but it’s because of the good things our parents have also done," he said. He referenced a teaching of the Prophet (SAW) on the reward of knowledge, adding that entrepreneurs should be remembered for service to society.  

Sustainability, he stressed, will separate the foundation from one-off interventions. "The aim of the foundation is sustainability. We don’t want it to cut off. Continuity is the most important thing," he said. The foundation said it will announce more programmes across its four areas in the coming months.  

Rebound Initiative used the same event to introduce its ‘FAP’ model to address why many women leave school. Mallam Musa Abdullahi, Chairman of Rebound, said the model tackles time, cost and distance. FAP stands for Flexible class times of three hours, two to three times weekly, Affordable through free tuition and learning packs, and Proximity by siting classes within walking distance.  

"When we knocked at the door of Al-Ghiyath, they did not waste time, they opened the door," Abdullahi said. "We told them this is what we are doing, and these are what we need. And quickly, they approved, and they responded by providing, and that is what you see us distributing to the learners today."  

He was blunt about the social barrier the programme is fighting. "We are fully aware that one of the challenges our society is facing is the social norm that says women should only belong to the kitchen," Abdullahi said. "A lot of them are brilliant, they are bright. If they should be given the opportunity, they will rise to the sky."  

The plan goes beyond basic literacy. Starting in January, students will undergo three months of basic computer training. Next will be skill acquisition in areas like knitting, weaving and pomade making, with tools provided to graduates to start businesses.  

The final stage is a push into higher education. Rebound has partnered with institutions including Kaduna State University satellite centres to support diploma and NCE programmes. "We are not just giving second-chance education," Abdullahi said. "Our target is that after knowledge and skills, she will continue to go to school from her pocket. She wouldn't rely on husband or any sponsor to sponsor her."  

Beneficiaries say the materials have already changed how they study. Maimuna Rabiu, one of the 90 women, said the books allow her to revise at home. "Today we were given free books. We are grateful. May God reward them with goodness and bring even greater things," she said. "It will help me expand my knowledge. Also, I won't forget the things taught at school because I can take them out and read them at home."  

School officials thanked Al-Ghiyath and Rebound and called for more support. With its first donation delivered, Al-Ghiyath says its focus now is to scale programmes that move people from aid dependence to skills, education and self-sufficiency.