Aisha Dhikrullah and Zainab Etiko, two out-of-school girls from the Okeho community in Oyo State, have successfully returned to school and resumed classes with their peers, FIJ can report.

This development follows a special report by FIJ, which detailed how poverty had forced the two out of school and put Aisha at risk of child marriage.

Shortly after the report was published on November 29, 2023, the Wole Oguntoye Foundation contacted FIJ, expressing their interest in sponsoring the girls through the rest of their secondary education.

FIJ facilitated communication between Abiodun Adesotan, the school counsellor at the Okeho School of Science, and the representative of the Wole Oguntoye Foundation.

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On January 10, 2024, the foundation’s representative informed FIJ that the girls had returned to their respective schools.

“Aisat Dhikrullahi and Zainab Etiko are back in school at the School of Science, Okeho, and St John’s Grammar School, Iseyin, respectively. Zainab Uthman (or a person speaking for her) claimed she graduated and completed her SSCE,” stated the foundation’s representative.

FIJ contacted Adesotan, who confirmed that the Okeho School of Science had received sufficient funding to support Aisha through the rest of her secondary school years.

“Yes, I can confirm that Aisha is back with her classmates. The representatives of the foundation reached out to me for the ceremonial part of the entire event,” said Adesotan.

“They sent N92,000 directly to the school’s account to see her through until she finishes senior secondary school. The principal confirmed it to me.

“I also confirmed now that the other girl is back in her school in Iseyin. I heard the foundation sent N90,000 for her. The foundation also sent the money to cover Aisha’s accommodation and textbooks to me today.”