The development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), has joined forces with the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111,  in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) and support for girls’ education.

Leading the dRPC  delegation to the Sultan’s palace in Kanwuri Sokoto, the Jakadan Gusau, Dr. Maiwada  Abdullahi, said the visit was to forge strong partnership with traditional and religious leaders in promoting girls’ education and fighting gender-based violence.

He stressed the importance of educating the girl-child, as well as the need to end the devastating impact of GBV.

While presenting insights  from the Muslim Opinion Leaders (MOLs) project in partnership with Ford Foundation, Senior Programme Officer  of the dRPC, Mallam Umar Ahmad, described GBV as a scourge that not “only damages families, but also reflects negatively on the society and is frowned at by Islam.”

According to him, the scourge has “dominated discussions at a MOLs recent learning visit to Egypt resulting in a publication on GBV that is now being translated into Arabic and Hausa languages.”

Responding, the Sultan expressed surprise at the extensive work done by the dRPC on GBV and girls education in Nigeria.

He said: “I was not aware of dRPC’s significant contributions in addressing gender-based violence. This issue is closely aligned with the core interests of the Sultanate, particularly girls’ education and the protection of women’s rights.”

The Sultan noted the historical advocacy for women’s rights by Islamic scholars like Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio emphasizing the importance of gender justice within Islamic teachings.

“These issues have been long advocated, and it is vital we continue this dialogue,” he added.
Praising the dRPC for involving a high-level women-led delegation, labeling them as “the heads of the family,” and shared insights from a recent event where he discussed family security and recommended follow-ups on those discussions.

The Sultan proposed organizing a roundtable meeting for religious leaders similar to the interfaith summit held every five years under the global organization Religions for Peace.

He also assured the dRPC delegation of his full support and an open-door policy for collaboration on future initiatives.

Program Officer, Ford Foundation, Oumar Ndiaye, commended  the Sultan’s warm hospitality and extended an invitation for him to participate in the upcoming African Traditional Leaders’ Meeting in Lagos in February 2026.

Ndiaye noted the dRPC’s impactful work against GBV and reiterated a call for society to unite in ending it, emphasizing the importance of high-level engagement with religious and community leaders.

Also, representative of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Hajiya Saa Hashim, acknowledged the Sultan’s support and recognized dRPC’s evolution into a national advocate for the improvement of women’s and children’s betterment.

The meeting concluded with the presention of souvenirs to the Sultan photograph by the visiting delegation,  a statement by the Director Partnerships Development and Communication of the dRPC, Hassan Karofi,  contains.