Northern Nigeria faces significant challenges, including poverty, limited healthcare access, and a lack of youth empowerment. With low literacy levels, inadequate education, and scarce economic opportunities, the region experiences higher poverty rates than the rest of the country, with 87% of poor Nigerians living in the north.
Healthcare remains a critical concern for mothers, children, and the elderly in rural areas. At the same time, young people struggle to access education and vocational training, limiting their prospects for sustainable employment and trapping many in poverty.
Growing up in Jigawa State, Hauwa Abbas Hadejia witnessed the harsh realities faced by marginalized women, children, and youth. Their struggles were often ignored, their voices silenced, and their opportunities constrained by circumstances. Determined to make a difference, Hadejia developed a deep commitment to helping these vulnerable groups.
Her passion eventually led to the founding of Silver Lining for the Needy Initiative (SLNI), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations, particularly in the north. SLNI focuses on delivering humanitarian aid and enhancing living standards through healthcare, education, and economic empowerment—areas Hadejia believes are the building blocks of a thriving society.
While SLNI’s core focus is on women, children, and youth, it also extends its impact to underserved rural communities. The organization provides medical screenings for women and advocates for keeping young girls in school to prevent early marriage.
A key objective of SLNI is ensuring that every mother survives childbirth and every child enjoys basic rights. As part of this mission, the organization distributes Mama Delivery Kits containing essential items for safe childbirth. SLNI also fights social injustices and discrimination against marginalized citizens.
Through her work with SLNI, Hauwa Hadejia has introduced practical solutions to pressing community challenges, instilling hope in those she serves. The organization’s initiatives focus on four key areas:
- Maternal Health: Organizing pre-and postnatal care services, conducting cervical cancer screenings and family planning awareness and distributing Mama Delivery Kits to expectant mothers
- Adolescent and Youth Health: Equipping young people with vocational skills for self-reliance, promoting sexual and reproductive health awareness
- Empowerment: Offering educational support for girls, hosting financial literacy and skills training workshops, and providing scholarships and literacy programs for youth.
- Community Health: Running immunisation programs for children, offering free eye check-ups for the elderly, widows, and widowers and organising health screenings for community members.
Since its inception in 2009, SLNI has touched over 500,000 lives and supported more than 55,000 mothers and babies across Nigeria. Additionally, the organisation has provided scholarships to over 3,000 beneficiaries, helping many young people achieve their educational goals.
Hadejia’s advocacy and social impact work has earned her numerous awards and recognition both locally and internationally. In 2021, she received special consultative status from the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), highlighting her contributions to humanitarian work.
Beyond grassroots initiatives, Hadejia actively engages in national and international policy discussions. She has participated in forums such as the Nigerian National Vaccine Summit, where she advocated for improved healthcare access for marginalised communities. This combination of grassroots intervention and high-level advocacy ensures that SLNI’s impact is both broad and sustainable.
Hauwa Hadejia, a public health advocate, certified coach, and humanitarian—continues to change lives, influence policies, and ensure that the needs of marginalized groups are not overlooked. Through her efforts, she is paving the way for a brighter future in Northern Nigeria and beyond.
