In Geidam, Yobe State, when a borehole breaks down, people used to wait. Sometimes for weeks. Sometimes for months. Women and children would walk for hours in the sun just to fetch water, returning home exhausted. ‘‘That used to be my life. My name is Aisha. I’m a mother
Lucy Odo Ede still remembers the long days that seemed to never end. On her rice farm in Ihenyi community, planting season meant bending for hours under the sun, working slowly through the fields with nothing but her hands. “Before, I spent months planting rice by hand,” she says. “Sometimes
Grace Bamisile lives in Ilupeju-Ijan with her husband and their four children. Thirteen years ago, soon after she became a mother, she opened a small shop selling drinks and household items. Back then, the electricity worked, and her business did well. Cold drinks were popular, especially during the dry season, and she could
Mayo-Ndaga sits on the rolling hills in Gembu, Taraba State. The air is cool, the land is wide, and a strong community shapes daily life. Over 15,000 people live across 1.034 km², with children making almost 55% of that number. Neighbours in this community know and support each other. Families rise early, farmers tend their fields, and children
The mountain introduced itself first. I did not believe people lived there. As we climbed higher into the Mambila Plateau, I expected isolation. What I met instead was an entire city sitting confidently on the mountain. Nearly 20,000 people. Banks. Hotels. Churches. Mosques. People going about their lives. That moment forced
Eighteen-year-old Aisha Yisha from Kudai community was once a shy girl who barely spoke to her parents. For years, her family’s way of communication was through a small chalkboard—a symbol of silence and distance. Whenever Aisha had something to say, she wrote it down. Words spoken directly were rare, especially
As we reflect on 2025, one word stands out clearly for us at ActionAid Nigeria: gratitude. This year, we are deeply thankful for every Community Sponsorship supporter who chose to walk alongside us, believe in our work, and stand in solidarity with the communities we serve. Your partnership continues to
With her toothless grin and wrinkled skin, as testaments of the blessing of the ages, but with contagious energy and wit, “There are stories on the lips of the elder” the old lady said as she retells old memories of Kupto. During its days of lack of amenities (healthcare and
Stretching out for miles without any sign of civilization, in what appears to be a people forgotten by its government; left to fend for themselves, is Panguru. Panguru is a hard-to-reach community in Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe state. The journey to Panguru in the beginning, seemed like a
Kupto, a community in Funakaye Local Government Area of Gombe state, had no functional healthcare centre and clean water. To cater to their healthcare needs, they travel long distances to Bajoga or Tongo (the LGA centre). The people of Kupto were also left to their fate to get water from
