Harnessing Waqf for Sustainable Livelihoods: Women Entrepreneurs as Drivers of Development in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

In Muslim societies, the waqf (Islamic endowment) system has long served as a crucial instrument for social welfare, income redistribution, and long-term community development. Waqf is a promising mechanism for promoting inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods in Northern Nigeria, where women entrepreneurs continue to face obstacles, including limited access to financing, sociocultural norms, and inadequate institutional support. This study examines the potential of waqf to support female entrepreneurs, who are a significant force behind socioeconomic growth in Northern Nigeria. The study investigates how waqf-based resources can be mobilized to bolster women's entrepreneurial potential, generate employment opportunities, and enhance household resilience, all while being anchored in Islamic socio-economic justice and the maqasid al-shari‘ah (objectives of Islamic law). The research employs a qualitative methodology and draws on historical analyses of classical and contemporary waqf practices, as well as fieldwork that includes interviews with Islamic scholars, waqf administrators, policymakers, and women entrepreneurs across selected states in the region. Findings are anticipated to show that institutionalizing waqf for entrepreneurship not only addresses gender-based economic marginalization but also significantly contributes to poverty alleviation, social equity, and the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to gender equality, decent work, and reduced inequalities. The study concludes that a revitalized waqf framework, integrated into modern legal, financial, and policy systems, can position women entrepreneurs as central agents of sustainable development in Northern Nigeria while reinforcing the ethical and spiritual dimensions of Islamic philanthropy.