First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Gifts ₦20 Million to Qur’anic Competition Winner Maryam Dan’Azumi

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Gifts ₦20 Million to Qur’anic Competition Winner Maryam Dan’Azumi

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has presented ₦20 million in educational support to Maryam Ibrahim Dan’Azumi, the Gombe State student who recently emerged victorious at the prestigious 46th King Abdulaziz International Qur’anic Competition in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

The financial support was presented on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja when Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, led a delegation to present the young Qur’anic scholar to the First Lady.

Maryam’s Historic Achievement in Makkah

Maryam Ibrahim Dan’Azumi, a student of Abubakar Siddiq Community School for Qur’anic Memorisation in Gombe, represented Nigeria at the international competition held in Makkah.

She emerged as the overall winner of her category, which involved the memorisation of the entire Holy Qur’an, recitation, Tajweed and interpretation. She reportedly scored 97.70 marks in the competition.

Her victory came during the 46th edition of the competition and was particularly significant because it marked the first edition in the competition’s 46-year history to admit female contestants.

Maryam’s outstanding performance earned her a prize of 300,000 Saudi Riyals, reported to be approximately ₦120 million. She competed against participants from numerous countries, with the Presidency stating that she defeated competitors from 132 other countries.

First Lady Commends Maryam

Receiving Maryam, her parents, teachers and members of the Gombe delegation, Senator Oluremi Tinubu described the young scholar as a source of pride to Nigerian women and the girl-child.

The First Lady also commended Maryam’s parents, teachers and mentors for the roles they played in nurturing her talent and supporting her Qur’anic education.

As part of the recognition of her achievement, Mrs Tinubu presented Maryam with ₦20 million to support her education, alongside other gifts.

A Family of Qur’anic Excellence

Maryam’s achievement also continues a remarkable family tradition.

Her elder sister, Hajara Ibrahim Dan-Azumi, won the 18th Hashemite Jordan International Qur’anic Competition for Females in Jordan in 2024.

Maryam herself had previously won the female category of the 40th National Qur’anic Recitation Competition in Maiduguri, Borno State, before progressing to the international stage.

From Gombe to the World Stage

Maryam’s success has attracted widespread recognition from government officials and Nigerians, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu previously congratulating her for bringing honour to Nigeria through her performance in Makkah.

The Presidency described her achievement as a demonstration of what young Nigerians can accomplish when talent is matched with discipline, hard work, faith and dedicated mentorship.

For Maryam, the ₦20 million educational support from the First Lady adds another significant chapter to a remarkable journey that has taken her from Qur’anic competitions in Nigeria to the international stage in Saudi Arabia.

Her story continues to highlight the potential of young Nigerians and the importance of supporting students who demonstrate excellence in their chosen fields.

Maryam Dan’Azumi’s journey—from Gombe to Makkah and now to the Presidential Villa—stands as a remarkable story of talent, dedication and academic and spiritual excellence.