On the ground in Nigeria with Steve Dabliz and Sadaqa Welfare Fund

On Thursday 10 June, Steve Dabliz returned to Australia following a fortnight overseas where he spent several days in some remote communities of Nigeria in West Africa. 

This was a humanitarian mission which Mr Dabliz undertook with prominent Australian Muslim charity Sadaqa Welfare Fund, delivering much-needed assistance to some of the country’s most disadvantaged communities. 

Once one of Australia’s most prominent Muslim social media influencers, Steve Dabliz built a huge following across Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, combining comedy, faith-based content and community storytelling. 

His content accumulated more than 300 million views across those platforms, with one viral skit attracting close to 50 million views. 

During this period, he shared stages with famous figures including Khabib Nurmagomedov, Mufti Menk and Sonny Bill Williams, co-founded the International Eid Festival, received Australian Muslim Achievement Awards and helped raise millions of dollars for humanitarian causes.

(He even co-starred in a movie!)

In more recent years, the man affectionately known as “Stuzz” has deliberately stepped back from the spotlight to focus on his wife Manal, his growing kids and his ageing parents Adnan and Hana- as well as dedicating his time to charitable work through Sadaqa Welfare Fund, a cause very close to his heart. 

Sitting down with AMUST MEDIA, he reflected on the challenges facing remote communities in Nigeria and on the humanitarian aid being delivered there, offering insights from the front line of a crisis that receives little international attention.

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In late May, I travelled to Nigeria alongside 22-year-old Fatih Efe Cetinay and his father, Ayhan Cetinay, a board member of Sadaqa Welfare Fund. 

We only spent a week in the West African nation, but it felt more like months because of how much we were able to accomplish in such a short time.

One of the first things that struck me was the caring and flexible approach taken by Sadaqa Welfare Fund as an organisation. 

Rather than deciding what children needed, we purchased tailored clothing based on what the children themselves actually asked for. 

We also visited schools operated entirely by Sadaqa and saw firsthand the impact these projects are having on local communities.

Eid al-Adha was an unforgettable experience.

We joined approximately 50,000 people for Eid prayer in the open before heading directly to the slaughterhouse. 

Over the next day and a half, our team oversaw the sacrifice of 1,050 sheep. 

Every sacrifice was individually recorded with the donor’s name to ensure complete transparency, with videos sent directly to donors through the Sadaqa app.

The meat was prepared in four-kilogram bags and distributed across some of the most remote parts of Nigeria. 

Refrigerated trucks transported the meat and recipients collected their allocations using tokens. 

Women and children were given priority, followed by the men. 

We estimate that around 40,000 people benefited from this Eid al-Adha meat distribution program. 

What many readers may not realise is that for some families, Eid is the only time of the year they eat meat.

The conditions were challenging. 

Temperatures regularly reached 45 degrees, with an extreme UV index. 

Yet everywhere we went, people immediately recognised the Sadaqa Welfare Fund colours. 

They knew that help was coming. 

SubhanAllah. The organisation has built numerous schools, 41 mosques and 45 water stations throughout Nigeria, making it one of the most active providers of Islamic charity work and community development projects in the region. 

One of the highlights of my trip was being invited to deliver the Adhan at a newly opened masjid in a remote village of around 4,000 people.

The project is part of Sadaqa Welfare Fund’s ongoing mosque construction efforts across Nigeria. 

The community’s previous masjid was little more than a small tin shed, now replaced by a modern mosque of more than 200 square metres, complete with solar power, electricity, fans and carpet imported from Istanbul, Türkiye. 

Alongside it sits a brand new, sophisticated water station project capable of supplying clean water to dozens of families every day.

I was also inspired by the dedication of Ayhan and Fatih Cetinay. 

Despite running a successful business in Australia, Ayhan volunteered his time to help those less fortunate. 

Watching father and son serve together was truly special.

Indeed, the experience was life-changing. 

I hope one day to return with my own family and, in particular, to share this journey with my sons Jacob and Osman so they can witness the incredible humanitarian aid and Islamic charity work  being carried out by Sadaqa Welfare Fund and the resilience of the people it serves.

In closing, may I point out that my trip to Nigeria was far from my first humanitarian mission with Sadaqa Welfare Fund.

Over recent years, I have been fortunate to participate in numerous aid trips, including a recent visit to Egypt, where I witnessed the delivery of five fully equipped ambulances destined for Gaza and met families also benefiting from Sadaqa’s ongoing humanitarian programs.

Whether supporting emergency relief, education, water projects or food distribution, these journeys have reinforced my belief in the importance of being physically present on the ground and seeing firsthand how donor contributions are changing lives.

Helping the less fortunate has become a regular part of my life, and every trip leaves a lasting impact long after I return home.