New Horizons Nigeria, a global leader in ICT training, has announced a landmark ₦50 million Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative titled “Almajiris-to-Tech.” The program is designed to transform the lives of Almajiri children by equipping them with technical skills to become professional computer and electronics technicians.
The initiative aims to address the Almajiri phenomenon through sustainable, non-kinetic solutions, ultimately contributing to Nigeria’s GDP, reducing unemployment, and bolstering national security.
The Almajiris-to-Tech program is a 90-day intensive empowerment scheme scheduled to begin on January 19, 2026. Rather than traditional classroom learning alone, the curriculum focuses on practical, income-generating skills, including Maintenance of laptops, desktops, projectors, mobile phones, and televisions.
Others are constructing inverter batteries and building UPS systems using e-waste, such as scrap laptop batteries and repurposing old technology to power rechargeable fans and other household devices.
Recognizing that systemic change starts with the individual, the first week of the program is dedicated to mind re-orientation. Facilitated by psychologists and elite Imams in the Hausa language, these sessions aim to instill values of patriotism, hard work, and discipline. The goal is to transition participants away from street begging toward a future of confidence and civic responsibility.
“God has not created any human being useless. Purely kinetic approaches cannot solve the Almajiri challenge; it requires a combination of empowerment and reorientation,” said Mr. Tim Akano, Managing Director of New Horizons Nigeria.
The program will launch at the New Horizons Training Centre in Abuja with an initial two-batch rollout. To ensure immediate impact, slots have been allocated to key stakeholders:
- PEEF (People Expertise and Excellence Foundation): 10 slots for human capital development.
- Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi): 10 slots to extend his renowned youth empowerment initiatives into Northern Nigeria.
At the end of the training, a unique competition will pit participants against each other in four teams: Team Shettima, Team Akpabio, Team Abbas, and Team Yayi, tasked with building and branding their own personal computers (PCs).
New Horizons Nigeria is committed to the long-term success of these graduates through several support measures. Graduates will be settled into physical locations to operate professionally as New Horizons Computer Technicians. The top graduating student will receive full funding and a complete toolkit to launch an independent business. Additionally, a dedicated digital portal will host the profiles, telephone numbers, and certification details of all trained technicians for public verification.
By 2027, leveraging the potential of Nigeria’s 15 million Almajiri children could potentially increase the national GDP by $20 billion. This initiative aligns with the “Renewed Hope” agenda, turning a vulnerable population into a productive economic force.