In a world where it is stereotypically believed that the children of Islamic clerics grow up in rigid homes devoid of warmth or modern ambition, Maryam Onikijipa Belgore stands as a refreshing contradiction. Her life tells a different story, one that beautifully merges faith with sophistication, intellect with compassion, and tradition with modernity. She represents a new generation of Muslim women who are deeply rooted in spirituality yet fearlessly embrace leadership, creativity, and social impact. Through her life and work, Maryam continues to redefine what it means to embody both grace and greatness.
Born on October 3 in Kwara State, Maryam hails from a family known for integrity, scholarship, and faith. She is the daughter of the distinguished Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sulaimon Farooq Onikijipa, whose humility and generosity have inspired many across Nigeria and beyond. From an early age, she learned that religion is not just about rituals but about service, a lesson that becomes the foundation of her personal and professional journey. Her upbringing instilled in her empathy, discipline, and a deep sense of responsibility toward others.
Education was the next step in her evolution. A graduate of Crescent University, Maryam’s time in academia expanded her worldview and deepened her sense of purpose. It was there she learned to harmonize her spiritual background with contemporary ideals of empowerment, leadership, and innovation. After graduation, she channeled her energy into creating impact, combining intellect with faith to make tangible differences in people’s lives.
Her personal life is an extension of her values. Maryam is married to Abdulsalam Belgore, son of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Salihu Modibbo Alfa Belgore. Their union brings together two respected families known for their commitment to knowledge, justice, and humanity. The marriage, built on mutual respect and shared vision, has become a source of strength for her philanthropic and professional endeavors. For Maryam, marriage is not a boundary but a partnership — one that amplifies her capacity to serve and inspire.
This passion for service finds expression in the Maryam Onikijipa Belgore Foundation (MOB Foundation), an initiative dedicated to empowering women and children through education, advocacy, and social intervention. Her foundation champions causes such as girl-child education, menstrual hygiene, and the fight against gender-based violence, rape, and child labor. Through targeted outreach programs across Lagos, Abuja, and Kwara, the foundation provides scholarships, sanitary products, and food supplies to those in need. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Maryam led relief efforts that fed hundreds of families a testament to her belief that compassion should always be active, not passive.
Outside her humanitarian work, Maryam is a creative entrepreneur and the CEO of Mareebel Limited, a brand that specializes in event design, styling, and interior décor. Her business reflects her personal philosophy — that elegance and purpose can coexist. With a refined aesthetic and a drive for excellence, she has built a company that mirrors her authenticity and ambition. Beyond financial success, her entrepreneurial journey inspires young women to pursue their dreams with integrity and confidence, proving that success rooted in service is the most fulfilling of all.
Despite her many achievements, Maryam remains grounded in humility and faith. Her birthdays are often marked not by lavish celebrations but by outreach programs visiting orphanages, internally displaced persons’ camps, and widows’ homes. Each gesture reminds the world that her definition of joy lies in giving, not receiving. In an age where influence is often mistaken for importance, Maryam Onikijipa Belgore stands out as a woman of true impact, one who uses her platform to uplift others, bridge worlds, and prove that faith, when lived with purpose, can illuminate even the darkest corners of society.
