* Allah’s grace, donors’ generosity, sustain our commitments – Founder
The hope of a brighter tomorrow continues to shine for dozens of orphans in Nigeria as Baytur Rahmah Orphan Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to education and welfare by paying tuition fees of ₦3.8 million to orphans for the first term of the 2025/26 academic session.
The Foundation also announced that a total of ₦6m was spent in 2024 on the welfare and education of orphans with Allah’s grace and the generosity of donors.
The announcement was made by the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Hajia Sherifah Yusuf-Ajibade, at the Foundation’s Annual New Session event held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Assiddiq Schools, Iyase, Kosofe, Ketu.
Muslim News gathered that as part of the event, the foundation presented ₦3.8m in cheques to wards, mothers, and caregivers to cover tuition and supplies for the first term of the new academic session, which begins in Lagos next week, September 13.
In addition to financial assistance, Baytur Rahmah distributed food items and copies of the Islamic book “Key to Salah, Key to Jannah” donated by the author, Fauwziyyah Emiabata.
Hajia Yusuf-Ajibade explained that most of the fees are paid directly into schools’ accounts: “This journey is not a one-off exercise. It is a commitment to support orphans until they get the requisite education to ‘fish’ for themselves and stand on their feet firmly.”
The CEO noted that the Foundation currently supports 34 orphans from 20 families across Nigeria, adding that 10 of the wards are pursuing tertiary education, while others are at different levels of nursery, primary, and secondary schooling.
“We spent about Six million naira in ensuring the education and welfare of these orphans in the year ended December 31st 2024,” she added.
While also describing sponsoring orphans as a form of sadaqatu jaariyah (unceasing charity), Hajia Yusuf-Ajibade stated that, “Part of what continues to benefit a Muslim after death are the benefits they brought to others. Sponsoring an orphan is one of such opportunities.”
Sheexplained that the Foundation’s ability to sustain these commitments had been through Allah’s grace and the generosity of donors.
According to her, “We were able to do this much with the help of the Almighty who has blessed our donors enough to part with some of their hard-earned money for the benefit of orphans.”
The CEO highlighted recent academic milestones achieved by beneficiaries.
One of the wards, Mariam Jubril, is set to be inducted into the Physiotherapy profession at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, after completing her studies with distinction.
Another ward, Miskilu Aminat Olaitan, graduated with a first-class degree last year and is currently undergoing her mandatory National Youth Service. She remains open to scholarships to further her studies after her service year.
“These academic achievements and the correct disposition to positive values that Islam preaches are what encourage our donors to do more,” Hajia Yusuf-Ajibade said.
While celebrating these successes, she warned wards and caregivers against complacency.
“We advise our wards and caregivers to ensure they hold and maintain high levels of morals and academic achievements. Lazy and complacent students who are unyielding to words of wisdom from mentors can neither benefit themselves now nor in the future. Such students would have no one to blame if we eventually drop them off the list.”
She reminded them that both good and evil first affect the individual and their families before society at large, hence, the need to take caution. She stated, “The good of an individual will first benefit him and his family before society, likewise the evil of an individual is first suffered by him and his family before spreading to society.”
Hajia Yusuf-Ajibade expressed deep appreciation to the foundation’s donors, most of whom remain anonymous, for their consistent monthly, termly, and annual support.
She also acknowledged donations and support from institutions such as the Jaiz Charity and Development Foundation, Bi Jahi Fatiha Foundation, and MESH of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
“We hope and pray that they keep it coming,” she added, while calling on more public-spirited individuals to join the Foundation’s mission.
She further connected the foundation’s work to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), stressing the importance of inclusion for vulnerable children like orphans.
“Inclusion of vulnerable groups like orphans requires all hands on deck to ensure they get the care and education to aspire and become the best versions of themselves. These and more will gradually reduce inequality and eradicate poverty ultimately,” she said.
In her closing remarks, Hajia Yusuf-Ajibade urged for more consistent donors, especially in light of rising school fees and cost of supplies.
“Yet, we must continue the awesome and rewarding work of getting orphans educated. In the end, we would be glad we signed up to support orphans in life. Let’s do more to ensure orphans are not left behind,” she concluded.
Beneficiaries’ testimonies
Some of the beneficiaries and their families shared moving testimonies about the impact of Baytur Rahmah’s work.
Mrs Rofiat Murisiku, a teacher at Ikorodu Junior High School and mother of six, whose two children are sponsored by the foundation, said: “All praise is due to Allah. In this economy, it is not easy to sponsor a child from primary to higher institution.
“The Foundation has done a great job in assisting us in the area of education. It is a very big relief for me. On behalf of myself and my family, I say a very big thank you to the donors. May Allah continue to move them to greater heights.”,
Similarly Salaudeen Abdul Muiz Oladimeji, a Chemical Engineering student at Lagos State University of Science and Technology and a beneficiary for three years, expressed gratitude.
“The journey has not been easy so far, but I thank the organisers, sponsors, and donors for their endless support for academics. A very big thank you to the Founder. She has been really supportive. When she noticed my ordeal, she reached out to me, and Alhamdulillah, I have been improving. We are promising them that we will turn out well, by Allah’s grace.”
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