The Nassarawa orphanage home in Kano serves as a sanctuary for abandoned children, some of whom discovered on roadsides, orphaned by the death of their parents, or left behind after accidents.

For many years, the orphanage has been supported by the Kano State Government, which provides for their feeding, clothing, and education until they reach adulthood.

The boys often find employment in government agencies or start their own businesses, while the girls are typically married off to interested suitors.

Hundreds of girls have been married off since the orphanage started, but some women who voiced their frustrations, revealed that they were abandoned after their husbands divorced them.

They also face abuse and mistreatment with little recourse for reporting their struggles.

Hadiza Muhammad, 40, and Halima Muhammad, 45, are two such women who have endured domestic abuse for more than two decades of marriage, having children along the way.

“I grew up in the Nassarawa orphanage home. I was told I was found along the Kaduna road after a car crash, and I was the only survivor. I grew up there until I was old enough to marry,” Hadiza Muhammad narrated her past and current struggles.

“When we grew older, they pressured us to get married and leave the orphanage because new children kept arriving and they needed the space. We were told we had to go so things could balance out.”

“Before then, a woman took me in and sponsored most of my schooling, but we later had a fall-out, and she returned me to the orphanage when I was 17. I was just beginning to become a young woman.”

Hadiza eventually married a man from the Republic of Niger. “After almost 15 years of suffering, hardship, and abuse, we had two children.

Then, he divorced me and threw me out with the kids. Now, he doesn’t even sleep at home, living like a street person. I’m helpless. I don’t know what to do. I returned to the orphanage home where I grew up, but they told me there was no space for us since we are now mothers,” Hadiza added sadly.

Halima Muhammad, who grew up alongside Hadiza, has faced a similar fate. Her husband also divorced her, leaving her with five children.

“Now, our landlord wants to evict us because we can’t pay rent. I have no one to fight for my rights against my ex-husband. I’m also battling diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma due to stress and constant worry,” she explained.

Both women have called on the Kano State Government to establish a system that supports women in similar circumstances, as many others continue to endure abuse and mistreatment, some still trapped in abusive marriages.

Comrade Hafiz Sanusi Sanka, the Kano State Chairman of the International Human Rights Commission, also confirmed that they often receive similar complaints and are in communication with relevant stakeholders to find solutions. He expressed optimism about the ongoing efforts by the Kano State Government.

“We visited the orphanage regarding this matter and had in-depth discussions. They seem to be taking meaningful steps.

Personally, I’m satisfied and confident that the issue will soon be resolved,” he stated.

“There is a house designated for women in these situations, but it is too small. As we speak, the Governor has ordered the construction of 20 new houses specifically for them—whether their marriages end or their husbands pass away,” he added.

Sanka also mentioned that the government is making efforts to provide employment for those who grew up in the orphanage home.

“The head of the home told me that just last week, the Governor offered jobs to 22 orphans in the house—both men and women—in government positions,” he noted.

The government’s actions are seen as a positive step towards resolving the issue.

“We must continue pushing for these initiatives to be carried out to support these women,” Sanka said.

When reached out to the authorities at the Nassarawa orphanage home for further comment. However, the head of the home, Hajiya Maimunatu, stated that she was not authorized to speak to the press.

But she confirmed the statement of Kano IHRC Chairman, Comrade Sanka.

Every year, dozens of children are abandoned or found across Kano State and its surrounding areas.

By law, the care of these children falls under the responsibility of government-established institutions, ensuring they are given the chance to grow up and live a fulfilling life.