Inkil Community
Leadership Initiatives partnered with the Inkil Community to address their most pressing needs: building a safe new school and a reliable and safe water source.
A Community Rooted in Resilience
Nestled in the northern part of Bauchi metropolis, the Inkil community, with over 10,000 households, stands as one of the oldest and most culturally rich areas in the state. Despite its historical significance, Inkil remains largely underdeveloped. The challenges of limited access to education and potable water have persisted for decades, affecting daily life and opportunities for growth.
Unlike other communities in Bauchi, where infrastructure challenges are often compounded by natural disasters, Inkil's struggles are rooted in decades of insufficient resources to meet the needs of its growing population. Leadership Initiatives (LI) recently partnered with Inkil to tackle two of its most pressing issues: access to education and clean water.
Education: Bridging the Gap
For years, children in Inkil faced unsafe and arduous journeys to the community's only public school, located miles away. Parents were forced to choose between their children’s education and their safety. A community-led effort to build a local school provided hope, but when the structure was destroyed by a storm, the only place for students to learn was the community leader's garage.
Leadership Initiatives stepped in to rebuild the school, ensuring the community’s children now have a safe, accessible space to learn. With this intervention, the school has resumed its operations, offering essential subjects like mathematics, English, and science, as well as a program for adult women’s education.
“This project is more than just a school,” said community leader Sani Abdullahi. “It’s a foundation for the future, ensuring that no child has to choose between safety and education.”
Clean Water: Transforming Daily Life
Water scarcity in Inkil has been a recurring hardship, especially during the dry season. Most households relied on shallow wells, many of which dried up during peak water scarcity. Leadership Initiatives responded by drilling a deep borehole, providing year-round access to clean, potable water for the entire community.
“This borehole has changed everything,” said Khadija Ismail, a local resident. “Now, women like me can focus on cooking and caring for our families without the stress of finding water.”
Community members agree that this project is a game-changer, improving not just health and hygiene but also freeing children from the burden of fetching water, allowing them to focus on their education.
Empowering Entrepreneurs: Economic Development in Inkil
In addition to addressing critical needs for water and education, the Inkil leadership recognized the importance of economic empowerment as a cornerstone for the community's development. By investing in local entrepreneurs, we can help create a thriving economy that benefits the entire community.
Through micro-grants and mentorship, Leadership Initiatives has empowered several Inkil-based entrepreneurs to expand their businesses, improve their services, and provide opportunities for others. These investments are not just supporting individual families—they’re fostering a ripple effect of economic growth across the community. These are just a few of the entrepreneurs that received grants, showcasing the dedication, resilience, and commitment they have to improving Inkil for everyone.
Tabitha Sule
Tabitha Sule, a 32-year-old entrepreneur, wife, and mother of three, has turned her passion for cooking into a thriving business as the owner of Marvelous Restaurant. After mastering culinary skills during an apprenticeship with he aunt and working three years as an employee, she launched her own restaurant. With a Diploma in Nutrition funded by her profits, Tabitha combines expertise and hard work to support her family and community.
Despite limited resources, Tabitha has built a solid foundation for her business. A micro-grant from Leadership Initiatives allowed her to invest in more tables & chairs and a freezer, helping her grow the restaurant. With her determination and new equipment, Tabitha is closer to achieving her dream of expanding into a larger, well-known restaurant and creating opportunities in her community
Zakari Sulaiman
At 28, Zakari Sulaiman runs Zaks Son Barbing Salon on Shekal Street in Bauchi. After eight years of training and two years as an employee, Zakari opened his salon with support from his family, earning a loyal clientele with his expert haircuts, shaves, and treatments. Despite hardships, including losing his mother in a tragic car accident and selling equipment to cover medical costs, Zakari remains resilient. He has trained apprentices and hopes to expand his salon, creating more jobs and opportunities in his community.
With Leadership Initiatives’ support, Zakari upgraded his equipment including a power generator, rechargeable clippers, and sterilizing machines. With the right resources and mentorship, Zakari is not just cutting hair—he's cutting a path to success for himself, his family, and his community
Naomi Haruna Sanda
At 29, Naomi Haruna Sanda is a devoted wife and mother of two. She pursued her passion for hairstyling with a three-year apprenticeship and two years of employment before boldly opening her own business, Naomi Hair Dressing Salon. Her salon provides high-quality beauty services and training for young women, aiming to reduce poverty and promote education in her community. Despite challenges like limited resources and being her family’s sole provider, Naomi remains determined to grow her business.
With support from Leadership Initiatives’ micro-grant program, Naomi upgraded her salon with a washing hair basin, hand dryer, and customer chairs, improving services and customer experience. Her thriving business now supports her family and helps her envision a future where her salon empowers many more women in her community.
Holistic Change for a Better Future
The combination of access to clean water, education, and economic opportunity is transforming life in Inkil. Children now have the resources to pursue their dreams, women are finding new ways to contribute to their households, and businesses are flourishing, creating jobs and improving livelihoods. As Aliyu S. Mani, a member of Inkil’s leadership, put it:
“This initiative is the first of its kind here. It’s not just solving problems—it’s restoring dignity and empowering us to dream bigger for our children and ourselves.” - Aliyu S. Mani, Community Leader
The investments in education, clean water, and entrepreneurship have laid the foundation for a stronger, more self-reliant community. With Leadership Initiatives’ support, Inkil is proving that with the right resources and determination, even the toughest challenges can be overcome.