Shoe Making Factory from Expired Tires

Group:  Futminna Humanist Student Society 

Members:  

Aisha Abdullahi – Ex Muslim (Female 22years  +2348069087732 aillhakab@gmail.com)

Chidinma Okeke –Ex Christian (female, 24years, +2348087814164 chikekemata@gmail.com )

Maryam Sani – Ex Muslim (Female 26years  +2347050554919 myeyniram@gmail.com)

Abdulrahman Musa – Ex Muslim (Female 22years +2348065892123 marahsadu@gmail.com)  Coordinator 

Emeka Nwachukwu – Ex Christian (Male 27years +2348030946791  nwabericha@gmail.com)

Tajudeen Bello – Ex Muslim ( Male 29years +2347063890221 tahbelldeen@gmail.com)

Samuel Dangana – Ex Christian (male 22years +2349031896650  dangtata@gmail.com)

Ahmed Lawal – Ex Muslim ( Male 28years )

John Okafor – Ex Christian (Male 24years )

Kabiru Yusuf – Ex Muslim (Male 28years )

David Ayodele – Ex Christian (Male 21years)

Ibrahim Abdulkareem –Ex  Muslim (Male 26years )

Group Email:   futminnahumanist@gmail.com

Group Phone: 07045382667

Why did your group become humanist and what does humanism mean to your group?

As students of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, we have come together to form a humanist group grounded in a clear and collective decision: to reject belief in any god or religion, and instead embrace a worldview rooted in reason, evidence, and human-centered values. In a region where religious identity often shapes daily life, we believe it is both bold and necessary to step away from systems of faith that, in our experience, often divide, control, and discourage critical thinking.

Our choice to be humanists is not born out of rebellion, but from a sincere desire to live honestly and ethically without relying on supernatural explanations or divine authority. We recognize that morality, compassion, and purpose do not require religion; they are products of human experience, empathy, and mutual respect. We believe that society can thrive when people are free to think independently, question tradition, and make decisions based on logic and shared humanity.

Religion, while meaningful to many, has also been a source of conflict, fear, and limitation. In our personal journeys, many of us have struggled with guilt, shame, or confusion imposed by religious teachings. We have seen how religious divisions can fuel hatred and hinder progress. Rejecting these systems allows us to reclaim our autonomy and direct our lives with clarity and intention.

By choosing humanism, we are choosing to build a community based not on faith in a god, but on trust in human potential. We believe that science, reason, and compassion are enough to guide us toward a more just and meaningful life. Through this group, we hope to inspire others to think freely, live honestly, and commit to improving the world not because a god commands it, but because it is the right thing to do.

Project Description

The Humanist Student Group of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, is proposing an innovative and impactful project. This initiative aims to address two pressing challenges facing Nigerian students and the broader community youth unemployment and environmental waste by establishing a campus-based workshop that converts old vehicle tyres into durable, affordable footwear.

Across Nigeria, a significant number of university students graduate each year without employable skills or practical experience. Simultaneously, environmental degradation from improperly discarded tyres continues to affect the country’s urban and rural areas. This project seeks to bridge both issues by equipping humanist students with the technical and entrepreneurial skills needed to transform waste into opportunity, while also promoting values such as innovation, sustainability, and self-reliance, which lie at the core of humanism.

Through this project, we aim to start a shop that specializes in shoemaking and tyre recycling techniques, while also imparting basic knowledge in small business management and ethical entrepreneurship. The proposed workshop will serve as both a skill development centre and a production space, enabling students to create and sell low-cost, eco-friendly footwear on campus and in the surrounding community. The project also plans to include branding and online sales strategies to increase visibility and expand market reach.

In its first year, the project expects to produce over 300 pairs of shoes made from recycled materials, providing affordable options for low-income students and contributing to environmental preservation by repurposing waste. Beyond production, the workshop will foster a culture of creativity, independence, and social responsibility among participating students. The proceeds from sales will also help sustain group activities and support future vocational training initiatives within the group.

This proposal is a practical expression of humanist values in action encouraging critical thinking, environmental stewardship, and economic empowerment. With adequate funding and support, this project will not only provide life-changing opportunities for humanist students but also establish a replicable model for sustainable youth enterprise across Nigeria.

Budget

 Heavy-duty scissors and tyre cutters – $50

Electric grinding machine – $80

Industrial shoe glue (bulk quantity) – $40

Rubber shoe moulds (various sizes) – $60

Hammer, nails, and hand tools – $35

Safety gloves and goggles – $30

Measuring tape, rulers, and markers – $15

Sandpaper and finishing materials – $15

Used tyres (cleaned and prepped) – $50

Footwear lining fabrics (foam, cloth, thread) – $40

Shoe soles for hybrid designs – $30

Decorative straps, buckles, and clips – $30

Packaging materials (bags, boxes, labels) – $25

Workbench or sturdy work tables – $55

Workshop stools or chairs – $30

Shelves or racks for storing tools and materials – $35

Basic lighting and electrical fittings – $30

Extension cords or power strips – $15

First aid kit for workshop safety – $15

Waste bin and cleaning supplies – $20

 Total $800

Expected Income from Project, with Timeline

The shoemaking project is expected to be fully operational within three months of funding, with the first month dedicated to setting up the workshop and procuring materials, the second month focused on intensive student training, and the third month launching full-scale production and sales. Based on projected output, the group aims to produce and sell at least 300 pairs of footwear within the first year at an average price of $4 per pair, generating an estimated $1,200 in revenue. This income will be reinvested into purchasing more materials, sustaining the workshop, supporting humanist student activities, and gradually expanding production capacity and market reach.

Benefits to Community

The shoemaking project offers numerous benefits to the local community surrounding the Federal University of Technology, Minna. Firstly, it provides affordable, durable, and eco-friendly footwear to low-income students and residents, helping to meet basic needs at a low cost. Secondly, by recycling old tyres, the project helps reduce environmental waste and pollution, contributing to cleaner surroundings and promoting environmental awareness in the community. Thirdly, it creates local skill-sharing and economic opportunities, as student trainees may eventually offer workshops or collaborate with local artisans, strengthening the local informal economy. Additionally, the project sets an inspiring example of youth-led, socially responsible entrepreneurship, encouraging other young people to think creatively about solving local problems through innovation, sustainability, and self-reliance. Through its outreach and visible impact, the project also fosters a positive perception of humanist values reason, ethics, and community service—within a diverse social environment.