ZAKĀT AT THE GRASSROOTS: COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND POVERTY REDUCTION IN KANO, NIGERIA

Abstract

Zakāt’s effectiveness in poverty reduction in Kano State largely depends on institutional credibility, efficient resource mobilization, and equitable distribution. Since 2003, the Kano State Zakat and Hubusi Commission1 has been legally mandated to collect and disburse zakāt across the state. However, more than two decades after its establishment, the commission has struggled to gain the trust of wealthy citizens, limiting its capacity to mobilize resources and address persistent poverty. This study examines the emergence of community-based zakāt organizations (CBOs) as an alternative and complementary response to the perceived ineffectiveness of the state-managed zakāt system. Employing a qualitative research approach, the study identifies weak institutional frameworks, low donor confidence, and limited stakeholder collaboration as key constraints facing the state zakāt institution. In contrast, community-based zakāt organizations operate through localized structures that empower community actors to collect and distribute zakāt within their immediate social contexts. The findings suggest that CBOs demonstrate greater effectiveness in trust-building, resource mobilization, poverty identification, and targeted intervention. The study argues that strengthening and integrating community-based zakāt initiatives could enhance zakāt’s overall contribution to poverty reduction in Kano State.