When I set out for Bodinga on the morning of Monday, July 21, 2025, I had no idea I was about to witness something extraordinary—a story not found in the headlines, but one that left a lasting mark on my heart.
In Bodinga, a quiet local government area in Sokoto State, a grassroots education revolution is quietly taking shape. At the center of it all is a soft-spoken young man with a thick beard and an even thicker resolve: Muhammad Kabir Abdulkadir—better known to many as MK Bodinga.
He’s not your everyday school proprietor. He’s a dreamer, a doer, and an education warrior with a heart rooted deeply in his community.
In 2021, fresh out of Sokoto State University and without a naira in funding, MK founded Life Time Integrated Academy, a community school for nursery and primary pupils. What began as a simple idea has become a beacon of hope for hundreds of children in an underserved area.
Today, over 270 pupils attend classes—not in air-conditioned buildings, but under trees and in repurposed car garages. There are no flashy classrooms, yet learning flourishes. It’s not luxury that drives this place, but love, purpose, and an unshakable belief in the power of education.
Bicycles used by the school children
The school charges just ₦2,000 per term. Out of that modest fee, MK pays 15 committed teachers. There’s no external funding. No government aid. Just the sheer will of a man determined to change the future, one child at a time.
As I walked into the school area, it wasn’t a structure that greeted me—it was a spirit. The atmosphere was electric. Children, seated in small clusters beneath trees, were deep in recitation. The sound of learning was alive. The pride was palpable.
I noticed something else that spoke volumes—dozens of bicycles, all neatly parked to the side. It brought back memories of my own school days, where the one kid with a bicycle was a hero. Here, many kids ride to school—proof of the ownership and pride this initiative has instilled in the community.
MK shared his story with quiet humility. “It all started like child’s play,” he told me. From late-night lesson planning to sourcing mats and books with community help, he has built something powerful—without walls, but not without heart.
Today, he’s not asking for praise—he’s asking for help. For desks, classrooms, books, and teaching materials. “Just imagine what these children could become if they had even the basics,” he said.
Looking at the children, it was easy to imagine: doctors, engineers, teachers, maybe even presidents. The raw potential was overwhelming.
MK Bodinga’s dream deserves more than recognition—it deserves real support. If justice exists, Life Time Integrated Academy should one day stand shoulder to shoulder with the best schools in Abuja, Lagos, or anywhere dreams are built.
This young man’s journey is a reminder that true heroes don’t always wear suits or speak from podiums. Sometimes, they stand beneath trees, chalk in hand, teaching the next generation with nothing but hope and dusty shoes.
I left Bodinga not just impressed—but inspired.
