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Determined to advance financial inclusion and empower women and youth, Aishah N. Ahmad, the newly conferred Soniya Asusu Nupe, has launched Amfani Zhiba Foundation, a platform dedicated to strengthening community wellbeing in Niger State.
According to Aishah N. Ahmad, the focus areas of the Foundation include women’s empowerment, advancing leadership, financial inclusion, and participation in economic opportunities.
Youth Development: Creating pathways to education, digital skills, entrepreneurship, and employment and Health & Community Wellbeing: Supporting maternal health, families, and vulnerable groups across the region.
Speaking at the launch, Aishah N. Ahmad said that she is committed to empowering women and youth, safeguarding our heritage through the foundation while building a brighter economic future.
“This honour, bestowed by Yahaya Abubakar, His Royal Highness, the Etsu Nupe, is both profound and humbling, and I am ever mindful of the responsibility to use my networks and experience in service of others,” she said.
In line with its mission, the Foundation announced its flagship initiative, the Soniya Asusu Female Economists Excellence (SAFE) Challenge, an annual competition designed to inspire and empower young women in Niger State to apply their knowledge of economics and finance toward solving real socio-economic challenges in their communities.
The SAFE Challenge will, among other things, promote excellence in economics, finance, and financial stewardship among female students; Encourage practical, innovative solutions to issues such as market development, savings culture, women’s access to finance, and digital trade.
The challenge will also foster leadership, creativity, and mentorship opportunities through collaboration with the FGGC Bida Old Girls’ Association and professional women leaders.
The project is open to female students in senior secondary and tertiary institutions across Niger State, with winners receiving prizes, recognition certificates, and mentorship to develop their ideas into actionable solutions. The SAFE Challenge will become an annual platform for advocacy, innovation, and talent development, expanding over time through partnerships with banks, development organisations, and corporate sponsors.
Yahaya Abubakar, Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, lauded Ahmad for her achievement and service, adding that through the Foundation, she will continue to strengthen economic well-being and uplift communities across the nation.
Mohammed Umaru Bago, the executive Governor of Niger State, represented by Ibrahim Dangana, Commissioner for Primary Health, lauded the initiative as a timely intervention for the state’s socio-economic development.
He said that by focusing on women, youth, and community wellbeing, the Foundation aligns with the commitment to inclusive development and improved livelihoods across the state.
On his part, Muhammad Sani Haliru Dantoro, Kitoro IV, Emir of Borgu (Sarkin Borgu), New Bussa, said that launching the Amfani Zhiba Foundation in Niger State shows Ahmad’s commitment to empowering women, youth, and communities.
Aisha Babangida, chairperson of the Better Life Programme for the African Rural Woman, described the Foundation as a natural continuation of a legacy of service to rural women.
“The Amfani Zhiba Foundation is a beacon of hope and progress for women and youth across Niger State and beyond. Its mission to empower and uplift resonates deeply with the enduring legacy of my late mother, Hajiya Maryam Babangida, whose visionary leadership transformed countless lives.”
The title Soniya Asusu, meaning “Leader or Queen of the Treasury”, represents one of the highest positions of trust and responsibility in the Nupe Kingdom, blending tradition and innovation to foster shared prosperity.
The Amfani Zhiba Foundation will work in close partnership with traditional institutions, government, private sector, and civil society to drive inclusive growth, turning cultural heritage into a springboard for lasting impact.
