We believe that education is a key driver of empowerment. Since 2021, we have established a private, not-for-profit school dedicated to supporting orphans in low-income communities.
The school currently provides scholarships to 12 orphans out of over 100 enrolled students, with a policy to reserve 10% of total paid enrollment for orphans and vulnerable children, with plans to incrementally expand this to 50% over the next decade.
Empowering Futures Through Education
ZAYT Academy was established in 2021 as a private, not-for-profit school with a singular mission: to empower children from low-income communities, especially orphans and vulnerable children, through transformative education. At ZAYT, we believe that education is not just a basic right but a powerful tool for long-term empowerment and community upliftment.
From its inception, ZAYT Academy has maintained a strong commitment to inclusion, reserving 10% of its annual paid enrollment for orphans and vulnerable children. As of today, we are proud to support 12 orphaned learners through full scholarships, and we have a bold vision to expand this coverage to 50% by 2034.
Scholarship recipients are selected through a rigorous assessment and verification process, ensuring that support reaches those most in need. Special emphasis is placed on the girl child, with 70% of all scholarships awarded to girls, helping to close the gender gap in education and foster equity from the ground up.
Each ZAYT Educational Scholarship covers essential learning needs including tuition, books, uniforms, school bags, shoes, sportswear, and basic clothing — ensuring that no child is left behind due to economic hardship. Scholarships are awarded in structured phases, supporting children through their pre-primary education with opportunities for continued support into primary school.
Our approach is holistic. Inspired by the nourishing essence of Zaytun Oil, ZAYT Academy provides not only academic instruction but also care, dignity, and opportunity. As we say, “At ZAYT, we provide the oil that fuels young minds, guiding them towards brighter futures through education, care, and opportunity. Just like Zaytun Oil nourishes, we empower.”
Through ZAYT Academy, we are not just teaching children — we are raising future leaders, thinkers, and changemakers.
In Northern Nigeria, millions of orphans and vulnerable children are denied education due to poverty, insecurity, and cultural barriers. MarayuConnect, a tech-driven initiative by Quality Education Development Associates (QEDA) and ZAYT Foundation, tackles this crisis by linking compassionate donors with Islamic, private, and government schools offering subsidized scholarships.
How It Works
MarayuConnect is a mobile-friendly platform that empowers local and diaspora donors to sponsor out-of-school children through:
✔ Anonymized profiles – Browse and select children based on preference and budget.
✔ Real-time transparency dashboard – Track contributions and impact.
✔ Accountability safeguards – Ensuring school compliance and community trust.
Rooted in Local Culture, Powered by Technology
Designed for accessibility, MarayuConnect features:
Community-Driven Impact
ZAYT Foundation will collaborate with Imams, Emirate Councils, and community leaders to promote MarayuConnect, while mass outreach campaigns and live demos will drive adoption.
Zaytfoundation is run by a team of very committed staff both in the Nigeria and Sierra Leone, yet we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the contribution of volunteers.
(Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning – MEAL)
