BWB Initiative welcomes New Patron, Celebrates Matron as Kaduna Pilot School Records Major Impact

The Built With Belief (BWB) Initiative, a flagship education programme under the Servelead Humanitarian Initiative (SHI), welcomes Mr. Nasiruddin Shuraim Abdulmumin as its new Patron, signalling renewed momentum in efforts to expand access to quality education in rural communities across the country.

Established to tackle the high number of out-of-school children, especially in Northern Nigeria, the BWB Initiative combines solar-powered learning infrastructure, ICT-based instruction and an urban-to-rural mentorship system to reduce the learning gap between urban and marginalised rural communities.

Its pilot school in Kaduna has become a strong demonstration of this model. Built by SHI in partnership with international collaborators, the school features two solar-powered buildings, nine classrooms, a functional computer laboratory, clean water systems and gender-sensitive sanitation facilities. More than 260 children are currently enrolled, with 82 per cent on full scholarships due to the severe economic constraints of their families. The project has documented a 55 per cent improvement in literacy, numeracy and communication skills, while nearly half of its pupils are girls — many of them attending school for the first time. The school’s water system also serves over 2,000 residents in the surrounding community.

However, despite subsidised fees, more than 70 per cent of parents are unable to pay, making external sponsorship crucial to sustaining the project. Speaking on the organisation’s mission, the Founder of SHI, Oyewole Joledo, said, “BWB was born from a simple conviction: no child should be denied the chance to learn because of where they live or how much their parents earn. What we are building in Kaduna shows that when we invest in people, we change generations.”

The Initiative also used the occasion to acknowledge the contributions of its Matron, Princess Farida Ahmed, whose advocacy and hands-on involvement have been central to the growth of the school and the well-being of the children.

The newly appointed Patron, Mr. Abdulmumin, is widely recognised for his work in community development and youth empowerment. His role is expected to strengthen partnerships and extend the reach of the BWB model to more rural communities. The Director of Operations at SHI, Princess Alugwe, noted that the combined leadership of the Patron and Matron would further consolidate the Initiative’s vision, saying, “We believe every child, regardless of where they are born, deserves equal access to knowledge, mentorship and the chance to dream big. With Mr. Abdulmumin’s guidance and Princess Farida’s nurturing leadership, we are confident that our vision will be taken to even greater heights.”

Servelead Humanitarian Initiative continues to drive community development across Africa through education, health, clean water, empowerment and transparent development programmes. With more than 21,000 lives impacted, 60 completed projects and 50 communities reached, SHI has maintained its reputation for measurable, community-centred interventions.

The BWB Kaduna school is currently seeking support from individuals and organisations to replace damaged solar inverters, upgrade classroom facilities, improve ICT resources, fund scholarships and provide essential learning materials. The Initiative noted that such support could determine whether vulnerable children remain in school and whether rural communities continue to thrive.