Maryam Dan’Azumi Wins Qur’anic Crown in Makkah
Gombe student’s historic triumph draws praise from Tinubu, Sultan, Dabiri-Erewa and Pantami
By Abdullahi Yusuf
A Qur’anic victory in Makkah has turned the spotlight on a young Nigerian student from Gombe State, drawing congratulations from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Sultan of Sokoto and other prominent Nigerians who say her achievement demonstrates what young Nigerians can accomplish when talent is matched with opportunity.
Maryam Ibrahim Dan’Azumi emerged winner of the women’s category at the 46th King Abdulaziz International Qur’anic Competition in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, defeating contestants from 132 countries in one of the world’s major international Qur’anic competitions.
Her victory came with a prize of SAR300,000, equivalent to about ₦120 million, and placed the student of Abubakar Siddiq Community Islamic School for Qur’an Memorisation, Gombe, at the centre of an outpouring of national recognition.
The scale of the competition was reflected in its prize pool, with more than SAR10.26 million, about ₦4.1 billion, distributed among the winners.
Maryam competed in the category requiring memorisation of the entire Qur’an, together with recitation, Tajweed and interpretation of all 60 Hizb with Tafsir.
President Tinubu was among the first to publicly celebrate the achievement, describing it as a source of national pride.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President praised Maryam for defeating contestants from 132 countries and highlighted the family story behind her success.
He also drew attention to Maryam’s elder sister, Hajara Ibrahim Dan’Azumi, who won the 18th Hashemite Jordan International Qur’anic Competition for Females in 2024.
The two sisters, Tinubu said, offered an example to young Nigerians, while their achievement also reflected the contribution of parents, teachers and mentors who supported their development.
For Maryam, the victory was therefore not an isolated achievement but another chapter in a family record that has already taken Nigerian Qur’anic talent onto the international stage.
The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, also described Maryam’s performance as a source of pride for Nigeria and the wider Muslim Ummah.
In a statement issued on Friday, August 21, 2026, and signed by Prince Bashir Adefaka on behalf of the Sultan’s Media Team, the Sultan said the achievement demonstrated the potential of Nigerian Muslim youths when they are provided with proper guidance and opportunities.
The Sultan used Maryam’s success to underline the importance of investing in the education and development of the girl child, particularly in Northern Nigeria and across the country.
He stressed the importance of Arabic education in helping Muslim children understand the Qur’an and practise their faith, while also emphasising the wider role of sound education in building a disciplined and productive society.
The Sultan linked Maryam’s achievement to another recent international success by a Nigerian girl, recalling 17-year-old Nafisa Aminu of Yobe State, who emerged overall best in English language skills at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals in London after competing against more than 20,000 participants from 69 countries.
He congratulated Maryam, her parents, teachers, school and the Gombe State Government, and prayed that Allah would increase her in knowledge and wisdom.
Maryam’s success has also revived attention on the remarkable achievements of the Dan’Azumi sisters.
Her elder sister, Hajara Ibrahim Dan’Azumi, won the 18th Hashemite Jordan International Qur’anic Competition for Females in 2024, establishing an international record of achievement that Maryam has now extended to Saudi Arabia.
Hajara’s victory had itself attracted significant recognition. Following her success in Jordan, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami presented her with a car and provided a scholarship to support her education through university graduation.
Now, following Maryam’s victory in Makkah, the Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami Foundation has again celebrated the family’s achievement.
In a statement signed by Professor Suleiman Mohammed, the foundation described the sisters’ accomplishments as evidence of the talent and potential among young Nigerians when they receive the right support.
The story of the sisters consequently extends beyond two competition victories. It has become an example of how sustained family support, religious education, formal schooling and mentorship can produce young Nigerians capable of competing and winning,on international platforms.
The congratulations also extended beyond the Qur’anic competition itself.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, congratulated Maryam and Muhammad, who emerged among the 50 winners.
Dabiri-Erewa described their performances as a proud moment for Nigeria, saying they represented the country with distinction and demonstrated the potential of Nigerian youths on the international stage.
She also commended Saudi Arabia for its continued commitment to promoting Qur’anic knowledge and bringing contestants from different countries together.
Maryam’s victory has consequently placed a wider question alongside the celebrations: how much further could young Nigerians go when their abilities are identified early and supported through family, education and mentorship?
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