Project: Solar powered charging station and phone repair shop

Group Name:   Tunanin Kirki Humanist student Society

Members:

Yakubu Zainab (female   22years  +2348038345691    kikikatar@gmail.com)

Bala Ibrahim  (Male  25years  +2349035142796)

Temitayo Suleiman (male 23years  +2348102564925  sulelelizo@gmail.com)

Adamu Lubaba (female  21years  +2349039253429)

Ibrahim Isah (male   27years +2348030604007 )

Abdulkadir Jemila (Female   19years  +23480807456912  Jeahontak@gmail.com)

Yerima Suliyat (Female  22years  +234703120330)

Jacob Elizabeth (Female 20years +234704365889)

Abdullahi Abdulhakeem (Male  29years +2347048652202   abdullahishehu45@yahoo.com) -- Coordinator

Bello Razak (Male 23years +234803887932778)

Abdulsamad Yunusa (male 27years   yugarakiw@gmail.com)

Group Email: bidaployhumanist@gmail.com

Group Phone: 08038345691

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

We, the undersigned students of Bida Polytechnic, wish to publicly share our personal journeys and collective position. After deep reflection, painful honesty, and years of questioning, we have chosen to no longer identify with the religious beliefs in which we were raised. We have, instead, embraced humanism as a philosophy that aligns with our values, reason, and conscience.

We were born and raised in a deeply religious and culturally conservative region. From a young age, belief in God was not a choice, it was a duty, a constant, and an expectation. We grew up in homes where religious practices shaped every aspect of life, where questions were discouraged, and where doubt was seen as dangerous or sinful. Many of us memorized sacred texts before we even understood the meanings of the words, recited prayers by routine, and feared punishment for even the slightest misstep in faith.

Our upbringing instilled discipline, community, and tradition but it also silenced our curiosity. Over time, we began to ask questions that had no satisfying answers. We questioned the fairness of divine justice, the contradiction between sacred teachings and scientific understanding, and the silence of God in the face of suffering and injustice. We questioned why morality was so often defined by fear rather than compassion, and why reason was so often rejected in favor of unquestioned belief.

It was not easy. Choosing to step away from religion in our society is not merely a change of belief, it is an act that invites suspicion, hostility, and sometimes isolation. We did not come to this decision lightly. It took years of internal struggle, reflection, and courage.

We have not abandoned values, we have redefined them. We believe in the dignity of human life, in reason, in empathy, in freedom of thought, and in the pursuit of knowledge. We are guided not by the fear of hell or the promise of paradise, but by our shared humanity and the belief that we must take responsibility for the world we live in.

Humanism, for us, is not rebellion it is liberation. It is the freedom to think, to feel, and to live authentically. It is the affirmation that this life, here and now, is precious and worth living fully not for a reward in the hereafter, but for the good we can do today.

We understand that our decision may be misunderstood or rejected by many, including our families and communities. But we hope for a society where questions are not silenced, where belief is a choice not a command and where human dignity comes before dogma.

To others who are questioning, who feel alone in their doubts, we say: you are not alone. Reason, compassion, and community are powerful tools. We found strength in one another and we invited others to find strength in us.

Project Description

The Tunanin Kirki Humanist Student Society, a humanist student group at Bida Polytechnic in Niger State, Nigeria, is seeking grant support to establish a solar-powered phone charging and repair shop as a sustainable, income-generating venture. This initiative is designed not only to address the pressing issues of unreliable electricity supply and limited access to affordable phone services on campus, but also to create a steady source of income that will ensure the long-term sustainability of the student society and its activities.

In recent years, students at Bida Polytechnic have faced frequent power outages that disrupt their ability to charge mobile phones, an essential tool for learning, communication, and personal security. At the same time, many students struggle with the high costs of phone repairs and lack of accessible, trustworthy repair services. This project recognizes this challenge as an opportunity to implement a practical, humanist solution: a student-managed phone repair and charging shop powered entirely by renewable solar energy.

This project will establish a small, functional business run by members of the society, offering affordable phone charging and repair services to students and local community members. Solar panels will ensure a reliable, environmentally friendly energy source, reducing dependence on diesel generators and the unreliable national grid. The shop will be equipped with basic repair tools and managed by trained student technicians who will gain valuable hands-on experience in mobile phone repair, customer service, and business management.

Profits generated from the shop will be reinvested into the operations of the Tunanin Kirki Humanist Student Society. These funds will support educational events, outreach programs, and capacity-building activities that promote humanist values such as critical thinking, secular ethics, and youth empowerment. By creating a self-sustaining financial model, the society aims to reduce reliance on external funding and secure its long-term presence on campus.

This project represents a practical and scalable model of how youth-led, values-driven entrepreneurship can address local needs while supporting the development of student-led organizations. With initial grant funding for infrastructure, training, and setup costs, the  Solar Charging and Repair Shop will serve as both a social enterprise and a foundation for the continued growth and impact of humanist student leadership at Bida Polytechnic.

Budget

100W Solar Panel (x2) $180

12V Deep Cycle Battery (200Ah) $150

30A Solar Charge Controller $40

500W Power Inverter $60

Universal Multi-Port Charging Station  $25

Phone Repair Toolkit (Screwdrivers, Tweezers, Openers)  $30

Soldering Iron with Stand  $15

Solder Wire and Flux  $8

Multimeter (for diagnostics)  $12

Magnifying Repair Glass with LED Light  $10

Basic Spare Parts Set (screens, charging ports, etc.)   $30

ESD Mat (Electrostatic Protection Mat)  $10

ESD Wrist Strap  $5

Work Table (sturdy, wooden or metal)  $40

Chairs (x2)  $20

Tool Storage Box/Organizer  $10

Plastic Bins or Containers for Parts  $5

Wall Shelf for Storage  $10

Cable Organizer/Charging Rack   $7

Surge Protector Power Strip   $6

12V DC Bulbs/LED Lighting (solar-powered)  $10

Wiring (solar and internal setup)  $15

Switches and Electrical Fittings   $10

Mobile Phone Display Stand (for customer display)  $8

Shop Signboard and Branding Banner   $30

Business Notebook/Record Book   $3

Rechargeable Wall Fan (optional for comfort)  $15

Paint, Nails, and Wood for Minor Construction/Fittings  $15

Padlock and Basic Security Items   $5

Space rent six month  $32

Total $800

Expected Income from Project, with Timeline

The solar-powered charging and phone repair shop is expected to begin generating income immediately after setup, with projected daily earnings from phone charging estimated at ₦3,000–₦5,000 (approx. $3–$6), depending on demand. With affordable rates, the shop could serve 30–50 customers daily, especially during power outages. Additionally, phone repair services are projected to yield ₦10,000–₦20,000 ($12–$25) weekly, depending on the complexity of repairs and availability of parts. Combined monthly income could range between ₦60,000 to ₦100,000 ($70–$120), with steady growth as awareness and service capacity expand. Operational costs will be minimal due to the use of solar power, allowing most profits to support the Humanist society's activities. The project setup, including procurement, installation, and initial training, is expected to take 4–6 weeks from the date of fund disbursement. Construction and installation will take the first two weeks, while training and trial operations will follow in weeks three and four. Full operation and service delivery are targeted to begin by the end of the sixth week.  

Benefits to Community

This project offers several significant benefits to the local community of Bida Polytechnic and its surrounding areas. First, it provides a reliable and affordable phone charging service powered by clean, renewable energy, an essential need in a region frequently affected by electricity outages. It also creates easy access to phone repair services, reducing downtime for students and community members who rely on mobile phones for learning, communication, and business. By using solar power, the project promotes environmental sustainability and reduces dependence on polluting generators. Additionally, the project trains students in practical technical and business skills, empowering them with employable knowledge that can lead to future entrepreneurship. As a self-sustaining venture, it ensures the ongoing activities and outreach of the Humanist student society, which advocates for education, critical thinking, and secular humanist values. Lastly, the initiative strengthens the local economy by keeping essential services within the community and encouraging innovation and youth-led solutions to local problems.