Mariam Oyiza Aliyu is the Founder and Executive Director of Learning Through Skills Acquisition Initiative (LETSAI)  a youth-led, disability-inclusive, women- and girl-centered nonprofit organization based in Nigeria.

Born on 26th October 1994 in Eika Ohizenyi, Kogi State, Mariam’s life story is one of resilience, empathy, and leadership. As the eldest of three children and having lost her parents early in life, she transformed personal loss into a lifelong mission to empower, educate, and advocate for those most in need of hope and opportunity.

Education and Professional Background

Mariam Oyiza Aliyu graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Radiography from the University of Maiduguri in 2017. Her academic training as a radiographer equipped her with technical precision, analytical thinking, and a deep understanding of healthcare delivery within resource-limited and high-pressure environments.

Guided by her unwavering commitment to global health, social justice, and gender equality, Mariam went on to earn a Master’s Degree in International Public Health from Liverpool John Moore University, United Kingdom. Her academic and professional journey reflects a consistent pursuit of excellence  blending scientific expertise with humanitarian compassion to drive sustainable solutions for vulnerable communities.

Before establishing Learning Through Skills Acquisition Initiative (LETSAI), Mariam gained hands-on experience through volunteer service with several leading humanitarian organizations, including Christian Aid, Plan International, International Medical Corps, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). These roles provided her with extensive exposure to emergency response coordination, inclusive community engagement, and protection programming, particularly within conflict-affected regions of Nigeria.

Through these experiences, Mariam developed a deep appreciation for the intersection between health, human rights, and resilience a foundation that continues to shape her leadership and advocacy in the humanitarian sector.

The Birth of LETSAI

In 2015, motivated by her encounters with survivors of violence and displacement, Mariam established Learning Through Skills Acquisition Initiative (LETSAI). Her goal was clear and powerful:

To provide healing from trauma, empower survivors of gender-based violence through skills and livelihoods, and promote peacebuilding across communities divided by conflict.

Under her leadership, LETSAI has grown from a small grassroots initiative into a recognized humanitarian organization that partners with UN Women, Global Center on Cooperative Security, Care Fronting Nigeria, CBM (Christian Blind Mission), and the Women Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), UNOHCHR and m

Through these collaborations, LETSAI has successfully implemented multi-sectoral programs that:

• Deliver trauma-informed mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS).

• Strengthen community resilience and peacebuilding through inclusive dialogue.

• Provide livelihood and vocational training for women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

• Promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.

• Advocate for freedom of religion, inclusion, and coexistence in fragile communities.

Leadership and Humanitarian Impact

With over 10 years of experience working in humanitarian emergencies and crisis response, Mariam has demonstrated exceptional skills in program management, emergency preparedness, disaster response, and stakeholder coordination.

Her leadership approach combines strategic vision with empathy and accountability. She has led multidisciplinary teams in the design, execution, and evaluation of donor-funded programs ensuring transparency, inclusivity, and measurable impact.

Mariam’s expertise also includes:

• Gender-based violence prevention and response

• Health system strengthening and advocacy

• Peacebuilding and youth engagement

• Disability inclusion programming

• Staff development and field operations management

Her dynamic leadership and commitment to service have earned LETSAI recognition as a trusted partner in advancing health, inclusion, and gender equality across Northern Nigeria.Over the course of her career, Mariam has successfully secured and managed over €2 million in donor funding, working with international partners to implement programs that address gender-based violence, peacebuilding, disability inclusion, and women’s economic empowerment. This achievement underscores her strong leadership, strategic partnership-building, and accountability in managing complex humanitarian and development projects.

Personal Philosophy and Values

Mariam believes that leadership is not about authority, but about service and empathy.
Her personal experiences as an orphan, a firstborn daughter, and a woman in humanitarian work have shaped her into a leader who understands both the pain and power of resilience.

Her guiding principles are:

• Integrity – staying true to her mission regardless of challenges.

• Compassion – leading with understanding and humanity.

• Equity – ensuring inclusion of all, especially the marginalized.

• Courage – standing for justice and women’s rights.

• Service – using leadership to uplift and empower others.

Mariam also identifies as a feminist, advocating for women’s rights, social justice, and the inclusion of women in leadership and peace processes. Her passion for research and history particularly African heritage, gender equality, and the origins of humanity  reflects her curiosity about how culture and identity influence justice and healing.

A Tribute to Her Mother

Mariam attributes her strength and compassion to her late mother, Mrs. Ahmed Hawa Ohunene, who instilled in her the values of hard work, faith, and service to humanity.

“My mother was my first teacher and my lifelong inspiration. Everything I do  every life I touch is in honor of her memory. May she continue to rest in peace in Al-Janatul Firdausi.”

Her mother’s legacy continues to guide LETSAI’s mission to bring hope, healing, and empowerment to communities across Nigeria.

Vision and Commitment

“I envision a world where healing replaces violence, where women and girls live in dignity, and where peace is not just a dream, but a way of life.”

As a young African woman leading change in complex environments, Mariam is determined to bridge the gap between humanitarian aid, gender justice, and community development.
Her life’s work reflects LETSAI’s motto:

“Healing a Hurting World.”