The Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (ZSF) has reinforced its position as a leading model of organised Islamic philanthropy in Nigeria, disbursing N735,831,356 to 2,916 beneficiaries across 28 states in its 2026 distribution cycle.

The cycle culminated on Saturday at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in Alausa, Ikeja, where N516,974,947 was presented to 1,756 beneficiaries in Lagos State.

The total disbursement represents a 55.7 per cent increase over the N472,700,552 distributed to 2,821 recipients in 2025. The average value of financial assistance per beneficiary also rose by roughly 50.6 per cent.

Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of ZSF, Prince Sulayman Olagunju, attributed the growth to expanding donor confidence and the foundation’s capacity to translate contributions into structured, high-impact social interventions.

“Economic empowerment remains particularly important because it provides beneficiaries with opportunities to become self-reliant, establish sustainable livelihoods, and contribute meaningfully to the economy,” Olagunju said, adding that the foundation’s goal is to ensure Zakat yields measurable and lasting social progress.

MTN Nigeria Executive Director and Chief Finance Officer, Mr. Modupe Kadri said Zakat could play a greater role in addressing poverty when properly targeted.

According to him, more organisations involvement in Zakat collection and distribution could contribute significantly to poverty reduction in the country.

He hailed ZSF for focusing on economic empowerment, education and medical interventions, describing the approach as capable of producing more sustainable outcomes than isolated individual assistance.

“As long as the interventions are targeted, because there are eight categories you can distribute Zakat, they have been deliberate and intentional to focus on economic empowerment,” he said.

He urged beneficiaries to trust in Allah, pray for blessings on the support received and develop the intention to assist others when they became financially capable.

Chairman of ZSF’s Board of Trustees, , Prof. Tajudeen Yusuf, described Zakat as more than charity, saying it plays a vital role in redistributing wealth, reducing economic inequality and preserving human dignity.

Prof. Yusuf said the foundation had remained committed for more than two decades to the transparent collection and equitable distribution of Zakat to those in need.

He said the foundation’s interventions had covered micro-enterprise equipment, medical relief, educational grants and emergency relief packages, among others.