ABUJA, NIGERIA — President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Maryam Ibrahim Dan’Azumi of Gombe State after she emerged winner of the women’s category at the 46th King Abdulaziz International Qur’anic Competition in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Maryam’s victory has brought international recognition to Gombe State and Nigeria, with the President praising her accomplishment as a demonstration of dedication, discipline and commitment to Qur’anic learning.
The competition, organised by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, attracted 334 contestants representing 133 countries across five categories. The event is one of the most prominent international competitions focused on memorisation, recitation and interpretation of the Holy Qur’an.
Maryam represented Nigeria in the category covering memorisation, recitation, Tajweed and interpretation of the Qur’an. Her performance placed her among the leading contestants at the international event held in Makkah.
The achievement is particularly significant because the 46th edition marked the participation of female contestants in the competition’s history, according to reports on Maryam’s victory. Her success therefore represents both a personal accomplishment and a landmark moment for female Qur’anic scholarship at the international level.
President Tinubu’s congratulatory message came as Nigerians celebrated the young Gombe scholar’s performance on the international stage.
The President praised Maryam for bringing honour to Nigeria and encouraged her to remain committed to her studies and continue developing her knowledge.
Her victory also highlights the contribution of Islamic educational institutions in northern Nigeria, where Qur’anic memorisation and recitation remain an important part of religious education.
Maryam is a student of Abubakar Siddiq Community Islamic School for Qur’anic Memorisation in Gombe. Her journey to the international competition followed success at local, state and national levels before she represented Nigeria in Saudi Arabia.
Her achievement is also part of a remarkable family story. Her sister, Hajara Ibrahim Dan’Azumi, previously won an international Qur’anic competition in Jordan in 2024, further drawing attention to the family’s commitment to Qur’anic education.
The 2026 competition brought together contestants from across the world and subjected participants to rigorous assessments of memorisation, recitation, Tajweed and other Qur’anic disciplines.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs said the competition featured 334 male and female contestants from 133 countries, with participants competing across five categories. The final prize pool for the named winners reached 10.26 million Saudi Riyals.
The ministry also awarded financial prizes to participants, distributing more than 1.5 million Saudi Riyals among contestants as recognition of their efforts and commitment to the Qur’an.
Maryam’s performance consequently placed her in the spotlight as one of the competition’s outstanding participants.
The achievement has generated pride in Gombe State, where government officials and community members have celebrated the international recognition earned by one of the state’s young scholars.
The feat also reinforces the importance of supporting young people pursuing religious and academic education. For many families and educators involved in Qur’anic learning, Maryam’s success offers an example of what sustained training, discipline and dedication can achieve.
Her accomplishment could also inspire more young girls to pursue Qur’anic memorisation and participate in competitions beyond Nigeria.
The international dimension of the competition further demonstrates the growing opportunities available to talented Qur’anic scholars who receive proper training and support.
For Nigeria, Maryam’s victory represents another instance in which a young citizen has brought international attention to the country through educational and cultural achievement.
The success also highlights Gombe’s contribution to Qur’anic education. The state has continued to produce participants who perform strongly at national competitions, with Maryam herself previously recording success in Nigerian Qur’anic contests.
The significance of her latest achievement extends beyond the competition itself. It provides an opportunity for communities, educational institutions and authorities to examine how young talents can be identified, trained and supported to compete internationally.
Maryam’s victory also comes at a time when education remains a major focus of discussions about youth development in Nigeria. Her accomplishment demonstrates how specialised education, when combined with dedication and consistent mentorship, can provide young people with opportunities to represent their country on a global stage.
As congratulations continue to pour in, attention will now turn to welcoming Maryam back to Nigeria and recognising her achievement.
Her victory in Makkah has already established her as a source of pride for Gombe State and Nigeria, while her success is expected to encourage other young Nigerians to pursue excellence in their chosen fields.
For President Tinubu, the achievement represents an occasion to celebrate a Nigerian who has distinguished herself internationally.
For Maryam and her family, meanwhile, the victory marks another milestone in a journey built around Qur’anic learning and dedication.
Her success at the 46th King Abdulaziz International Qur’anic Competition has therefore become more than a personal triumph. It is a moment of national pride, a landmark for female participation and a powerful reminder of the international recognition Nigerian young people can achieve through commitment to learning.
