Kaduna Hosts Zakat, Waqf Workshop as Govt, CAN, UNICEF Push Faith-Based Social Protection

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Stakeholders from government, faith groups, and development partners converged in Kaduna on Wednesday for a workshop on institutionalizing Zakat and Waqf as sustainable financing tools for social protection, with speakers stressing inclusivity, transparency, and collaboration across religious lines.

The workshop, organized by the Kaduna State Government and UNICEF, drew participants, including the Chief of Staff to Governor Uba Sani, Sani Liman Kila, who represented the governor, the Commissioner of Finance, Malam Ibrahim, Special Adviser on Social Investment, Mrs. Bridget Suleiman, and the Director General of the Bureau of Inter-Faith, Barrister Tahir Tahir.

Delivering remarks on behalf of the governor, Kila said Zakat and Waqf cut across faiths in helping the vulnerable. He cited the example shared by Malam Muhammad Lawal Maidoki, Deputy Secretary General of the World Zakat and Waqf Forum, of a Christian woman in Sokoto who received medical care and was flown back to Ghana through Zakat funds. “The lesson learned here is inclusivity. We are all one. Christians and Muslims are all one as far as Zakat and Waqf are connected,” Kila said.

Kila commended UNICEF and the state government for convening the workshop, describing it as timely and appropriate. He noted that since Governor Uba Sani assumed office, Kaduna State has prioritized financial inclusion. “When we came into power, 65% of citizens of Kaduna State were financially excluded. As of today, Kaduna State is one of the states at the higher height throughout the 36 states of Nigeria that we are financially included,” he said, adding that the governor deserves credit for the progress.

Explaining the concept, Kila said Zakat is one of the pillars of Islam, designed to support the poor and needy, and requires 2.5% of savings to be given annually. “The essence of this is to give to the poor and the needy. Next year, it is expected that the poor and the needy will also be part of those who will be giving out,” he said. He urged citizens to imbibe the virtues of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) by helping people in need wherever they are.

Representing the Christian Association of Nigeria, Kaduna State Chapter, Reverend Joel Madaki said CAN supports any system that lifts the poor and protects the vulnerable. Quoting Romans 12:18 and Proverbs 19:17, he said the topic of poverty is not a Muslim or Christian issue but a human one. He noted that the church in Kaduna has long provided scholarships, medical outreaches, support for widows, and skills training for youths as forms of social protection.

“CAN believes strongly in social justice, compassion, and community support,” Madaki said. “We recognize that Zakat and Waqf are established Islamic mechanisms for wealth redistribution and social welfare. We respect the right of our Muslim brothers and sisters to practice their faith and use their resources for the common good.” He added that where principles of transparency, accountability, and non-discrimination are upheld, CAN is willing to listen, learn, and explore areas of collaboration that serve all citizens regardless of faith or ethnicity.

Malam Maidoki of the World Zakat and Waqf Forum said social protection is Quranic, citing Chapter 51, Verse 19: “In their wealth, there is the right for the beggar and the deprived.” He described Zakat as an annual wealth purifier and Waqf as a perpetual investment engine that can build hospitals, schools, and water projects if properly harnessed. He listed Sokoto, Katsina, Jigawa, Lagos, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Kaduna as states demonstrating that Zakat and Waqf work when properly institutionalized.

Maidoki urged the Kaduna State Government to develop enabling legislation for Zakat and Waqf to grow and support social protection. “We are ready to partner with Kaduna State to assist in the best way we can,” he said. He emphasized that there is no discrimination in Zakat and Waqf, recalling how a Christian woman from Ghana, known as the “Zakat Queen” at Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Kware, received treatment and was flown home using Zakat funds. “When we are giving treatment, we don’t ask what your religion is, what tribe you belong to,” he stated.

Barrister Tahir Tahir, DG of the Bureau of Inter-Faith, disclosed that the current administration under Governor Uba Sani has submitted an executive bill to the State Assembly to create a Kaduna State Religious Commission, which includes a Directorate of Zakat with a permanent commissioner. He assured UNICEF and other stakeholders of the state’s commitment to financial inclusion, Zakat, and other religious activities.

Special Adviser on Social Investment, Mrs. Bridget Suleiman, said fiscal pressures continue to challenge the sustainability of social protection efforts, highlighting the importance of the workshop. She noted that countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Pakistan have institutionalized Zakat and Waqf to finance education, healthcare, and livelihoods.

Meanwhile, states such as Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, and Lagos have used these instruments in Nigeria. “Yet in Kaduna State, the full potential of Zakat and Waqf remains largely untapped in terms of structure and coordination,” she explained, describing the workshop as a platform for dialogue and co-creation.

Representing UNICEF, the Social Policy Officer, Mrs. Wakidara Akila, said that alternative funding sources are becoming increasingly viable globally amid funding shortages. She mentioned that faith-based financing, such as Zakat and Waqf, remains an underutilized resource to complement social protection efforts in Kaduna. “UNICEF remains a committed partner to Kaduna State in fighting poverty and addressing vulnerabilities,” she stated, expressing hope that the workshop will develop a sustainable framework to benefit the community.

Participants agreed that the next two days of discussions will focus on practical ways to institutionalize Zakat and Waqf within Kaduna’s social protection system, ensuring transparency, accountability, and cultural compatibility. The speakers prayed that the results would bring relief to widows in Zaria, orphans in Kafanchan, and unemployed youths across the city.