The Companion Zakat & Sadaqah Foundation: From Humble Beginnings to Structured Social Justice

A Sacred Trust, Transformed

For over four decades, The Companion has stood as a beacon of Islamic values in action—an association of Muslim men in business and the professions, established in Lagos in 1984. Among its many pioneering initiatives, one stands out as a testament to the organisation’s commitment to holistic human development: The Companion Zakat & Sadaqah Foundation.

What began as a modest, ad-hoc zakat committee has, through discipline, consultation, and trust in Allah, evolved into a fully incorporated, registered foundation with a clear mandate: to serve humanity, uplift the Ummah, and restore dignity through faith-compliant social finance.

The Genesis: A Committee with a Vision

The Companion Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation did not begin as a grand institution. Its origins lie in the recognition that zakat—the third pillar of Islam—required more than informal, unstructured giving to achieve its full potential as a tool for poverty alleviation and social justice.

In 2012, The Companion established the Zakat Fund Distribution Ceremony to assist qualified Muslims in fulfilling their zakat obligations and to provide a platform for assisting needy Muslims and others requiring financial and other forms of support. What started as a small-scale effort gradually gained momentum, with the fund distributing N5.3 million in its early years, and growing to N30 million by 2023, reaching 160 beneficiaries across the country.

The Transition: From Ad-Hoc to Institutional

The formal transition of The Companion’s charitable activities into a fully incorporated entity—The Companion Zakat & Sadaqah Foundation—marked a departure from traditional, informal giving toward a model of divine capital, a strategic effort to institutionalise zakat as a tool for modern poverty alleviation.

As the Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Alhaji Thabit Wale Sonaike, explained:

“Through discipline, consultation and trust in Allah, that small committee transformed first into a structured body, and today, into a fully incorporated, registered foundation with a clear mandate, to serve humanity, uplift the Ummah and restore dignity through faith-compliant social finance.”

The Foundation was built on three non-negotiable pillars: Shari’ah compliance, integrity, and measurable impact. This disciplined model ensures that zakat is not merely given but strategically deployed to create lasting change.

The Impact: Transforming Lives, Building Nations

Since its formalisation, the Foundation has demonstrated the power of structured zakat administration:

• In 2025 alone, the Foundation empowered over 270 beneficiaries across Nigeria, targeting specific interventions in debt relief, healthcare, and business startups.

• Zakat collections surged to N119 million in 2025.

• By 2026, the Foundation distributed N133 million in zakat proceeds to 260 beneficiaries spread across six states: Oyo, Osun, Kwara, FCT, Cross River, and Lagos. Of this, N47 million was allocated to the Lagos District for local distribution.

The Foundation’s interventions cover a wide spectrum of needs:

• Scholarships – Supporting students at risk of dropping out, including PhD candidates who received interventions of N500,000 and N700,000.

• Business Grants & Equipment – Deep freezers, industrial sewing machines, grinding machines, and generators.

• Healthcare Support – Cash assistance for medical needs.

• Debt Relief – Helping individuals regain financial independence.

• Upkeep Assistance – Supporting families in times of crisis.

A Vision for the Future

The Foundation’s leadership has set bold targets for the coming years. Dr. Almaroof Williams suggested that the Foundation is on a trajectory to record billions in zakat proceeds within two years. This ambition is grounded in the recognition that properly prioritised funds can build industries and solve the chronic unemployment facing Nigerian youth.

The Foundation is also exploring the Waqf system—an Islamic endowment model—as a means to create sustainable, long-term sources of funding. As Chief Imam of Lagos State University, Prof. AbdulQudus Amuni, illustrated, the historical example of Uthman Ibn Affan, whose centuries-old endowment of a well in Medina still generates profits today, demonstrates the immense potential of structured Islamic philanthropy.

Join the Caravan of Givers

The Companion Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation invites you to be part of this noble cause. Your contribution—no matter the size—can change a story, lift a family, or send a scholar back to school.

Donate Today:
Zenith Bank – 1012864185 (The Companion Zakat Fund)

Follow Us:

• Facebook: The Companion Zakat Fund

• Instagram: @thecompanionzakatfunds

Contact: Shaffi – 08126541345

“The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a grain that grows seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains.” — Qur’an 2:261

The Companion Zakat & Sadaqah Foundation: Purifying Wealth. Empowering Lives. 🕌✨