Sixteen-year-old Nadia Zakaria, daughter of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Hadiza Akpoti-Uduaghan, has attracted widespread attention after turning a childhood concern for vulnerable children into a fully completed humanitarian project, building, furnishing and handing over a modern orphanage facility to the Oyiza-Salem Divine Orphanage Home in Etahi Community, Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State. The project, which was commissioned on Sunday, August 9, 2026, brought together community members, religious leaders, children, staff of the orphanage and other well-wishers, who gathered to witness what has been described as an unusual display of youth-led compassion and social responsibility.
The significance of Nadia’s achievement lies not only in the age at which she completed the project but also in the fact that the idea reportedly began when she was just 15. Rather than waiting until she was older or financially independent before attempting to make an impact, the teenager began thinking about how she could improve the lives of children who had not enjoyed the kind of family support, security and opportunities available to her. That concern eventually developed into a fundraising campaign that culminated in the construction of a new home for the children of Oyiza-Salem Divine Orphanage Home.
Nadia explained at the commissioning ceremony that growing up in a loving and supportive environment made her think deeply about children who had experienced a very different reality. Her concern, she said, was not simply about giving money or temporary assistance but about creating a place where vulnerable children could feel safe, cared for and valued. What initially appeared to be an ambitious idea for a teenager gradually became a tangible project as she began seeking financial support from people around her.
According to reports, the funds used for the construction and furnishing were mobilised through donations and support from family members, friends and members of the public. Nadia acknowledged that the fundraising process was far from easy. At 15, she had never undertaken a project of such magnitude, and raising enough money to construct an entire orphanage appeared daunting. Nevertheless, she continued with the effort until sufficient resources were gathered to build the facility and furnish its rooms.
An important aspect of the story emerged from comments by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who said she deliberately allowed her daughter to take ownership of the initiative. The senator stated that she did not make a financial contribution to the construction, stressing that Nadia sourced the money herself. In a further explanation shared by the senator, Natasha said she deliberately stayed in the background because she wanted her daughter to experience the responsibility, challenges and satisfaction that came with pursuing the project. She reportedly only became involved toward the end of the fundraising process, when Nadia encountered difficulties meeting her target, helping to share the teenager’s donation appeal with a small group of friends.
For DDM News, the story represents more than the unusual achievement of a politician’s daughter. It highlights the potential of young Nigerians to participate directly in solving social problems when they are encouraged to turn empathy into action. Nadia’s project also demonstrates how a relatively simple concern about the welfare of disadvantaged children can develop into a long-term intervention when determination, community support and responsible leadership come together.
The condition of the children before the new facility was completed further explains why the project has generated such strong reactions. Pastor Kisito Adomu Zuberu, founder of the Oyiza-Salem Divine Orphanage Home, became emotional while describing the situation the children faced previously. He recalled that when the children arrived at the orphanage, some of them were sleeping on the ground. The newly constructed facility, he said, had transformed that situation by providing them with what he described as a fully equipped home.
Beyond accommodation, the orphanage has continued to focus on the education and development of the children under its care despite financial difficulties. Pastor Zuberu disclosed that some of the children have progressed into higher education and professional training. Two have reportedly proceeded to university-level studies, including one studying at the School of Nursing in Obangede, while another, identified as Alhassan, has graduated from the University of Abuja. Another child is studying at Kwara State University, while another is awaiting mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps. The orphanage also has eight children in primary school and two others undergoing vocational training, including tailoring and another skill-acquisition programme.
The new building therefore represents more than bricks, rooms and furniture. For the children, it provides a more secure environment in which they can study, rest and develop their individual abilities. The management of the orphanage described the intervention as a source of hope, security and dignity, while community members and other guests at the commissioning ceremony applauded Nadia for undertaking the initiative at such a young age.
Nadia, meanwhile, used the occasion to encourage other young people not to believe that age or limited financial resources should prevent them from contributing to society. Her message was essentially that meaningful change can begin with a decision to act, even when the person taking the first step does not have all the resources needed to complete the journey. The teenager also expressed the hope that the new home would become a place where the children would feel loved and secure and where they would have the confidence to pursue their dreams.
The project has also reportedly sparked interest in Nadia’s next humanitarian ambition. Senator Natasha disclosed that her daughter is already developing plans for another intervention in Kogi Central, this time focused on pregnant women. According to the senator, Nadia is working on plans for a heavily equipped care home for pregnant women, suggesting that the teenager’s humanitarian interests may extend beyond the immediate needs of orphaned and vulnerable children.
The development has placed Nadia in an unusual spotlight, particularly because the initiative was undertaken while she was still a teenager. While being the daughter of a sitting senator has naturally drawn additional public attention to the project, available reports emphasise that Nadia took responsibility for mobilising support and driving the project. Her mother’s decision to remain largely in the background also meant that the teenager had to confront the challenges of fundraising and project completion herself.
DDM News reports that the handover of the facility has consequently become a story about more than political family connections. It is a story about a young person who saw a need, decided to respond and persuaded others to support the response. At a time when discussions about youth participation often focus heavily on politics, employment and education, Nadia’s initiative offers another dimension: young people can also become direct contributors to humanitarian development within their communities.
From an idea conceived at 15 to a completed and furnished orphanage handed over at 16, Nadia Zakaria’s journey has demonstrated the impact that determination and compassion can have when transformed into action. The new facility at Etahi Community now stands as a physical expression of that vision, offering vulnerable children a safer and more dignified place to live while giving them a stronger environment from which to pursue education, acquire skills and imagine a better future.
