Meet Maryam Dan-Azumi, Nigerian student who won ₦120m Qur’anic prize in Makkah
Nigerian student Maryam Ibrahim Dan-Azumi from Gombe State has emerged as the winner of the second category at the 46th King Abdulaziz International Qur’an Recitation Competition in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. History
Maryam, a student of Abubakar Siddiq Community School for Qur’an Memorisation in Gombe, represented Nigeria at the prestigious competition, where she competed in a category covering memorisation of the entire Holy Qur’an, recitation, Tajweed and Tafsir.
She scored 97.70 marks to finish first, defeating contestants from 132 countries and winning a prize of 300,000 Saudi Riyals, equivalent to about ₦120 million.
Here are key facts about the Nigerian Qur’anic scholar: History
- She is a native of Gombe State
Maryam hails from Gombe State and developed her Qur’anic memorisation skills at Abubakar Siddiq Community School for Qur’an Memorisation in Herwagana Quarters, Gombe.
Her school and state celebrated her international achievement as a major source of pride.
- She secured first place in her category
Maryam won the second category of the competition, which covers the memorisation of all 60 Hizb of the Qur’an with Tafsir.
- She won ₦120 million
Her victory earned her a prize of 300,000 Saudi Riyals, valued at approximately ₦120 million.
The King Abdulaziz International Qur’an Recitation Competition is one of the major international competitions dedicated to Qur’anic memorisation, recitation and scholarship.
- She broke new ground as a female contestant
Maryam’s victory came in a historic edition of the competition, which featured female contestants for the first time in its 46-year history.
- She was already a national champion
Before her success in Saudi Arabia, Maryam had established herself as a leading Qur’anic reciter in Nigeria.
She emerged first in the female category at the 40th National Qur’anic Recitation Competition in Maiduguri, Borno State, scoring 97.70 marks in the memorisation of the entire Qur’an with Tafsir.
She was rewarded with a brand-new Toyota Corolla, an Umrah opportunity and other prizes.
- She has won several Qur’anic competitions
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In February 2024, Maryam emerged overall winner of the National Qur’an Recitation Competition of Nana Asma’u.
Her successive victories saw her progress from local and state competitions to the national stage and eventually to the international competition in Makkah.
- She is studying Physics Education
Beyond her Qur’anic scholarship, Maryam is pursuing a university education.
She is currently in her final year at Gombe State University, where she studies Physics Education.
- She comes from a family of Qur’anic achievers
Maryam’s achievement follows another major international success by her elder sister, Hajara Ibrahim Dan-Azumi.
In 2024, Hajara emerged overall winner of the 18th Hashemite Jordan International Qur’anic Competition for Females in Jordan.
Hajara studied Botany and has since completed her university education.
- President Tinubu congratulated her
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulated Maryam, describing her victory as a source of national pride.
Tinubu praised her mastery of the Qur’an and dedication to scholarship, while also commending her parents, teachers and mentors for their contributions to her development.
The President described Maryam and her elder sister, Hajara, as inspirations to young Nigerians.
He said Maryam’s achievement demonstrated what Nigerian youths can accomplish when talent is combined with discipline, hard work, faith and dedicated mentorship.
- Gombe governor celebrates her achievement.
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya also congratulated Maryam, her family, teachers and the Muslim community.
Yahaya described her victory as a remarkable achievement for both Gombe State and Nigeria.
“I am deeply proud of our daughter’s exceptional achievement on the global stage. Maryam’s triumph exemplifies the excellence and rich educational heritage of Gombe State,” the governor said.
He noted that Maryam’s journey had taken her from winning at the local government level to the state and national stages before she eventually emerged first internationally in Makkah.
The Nation Newspaper
