Nigeria's Almajiri-to-Tech Initiative Graduates 21 Youth in Abuja

The Almajiri-to-Tech Foundation and New Horizons, led by Tim Akano, completed a six‑month training programme for 21 former Almajiri children in Nigeria. The N100 million (about $75,000) effort taught participants ICT and repair skills, enabling them to assemble computers, drones and service phones, laptops, fans, power banks and microwaves. Graduates also received uniforms, meals, transport stipends and weekly mentorship from religious instructors.

A workshop space in Abuja’s Wuse 2 district, named the Almajiri Republic Workshop, has been rented for a year and will be open to the public. A Yellow Pages directory and a dedicated landline will connect clients with the new technicians. The three top graduates will obtain full business tools and cash grants to support the start of their micro‑businesses. The programme aims to address insecurity, extremist recruitment, low human development, migration pressures and youth drug abuse.

A graduation ceremony in Abuja marked the transition of the cohort from street beggars to qualified tech builders, with one graduate from neighboring Niger Republic highlighted for achieving fluency in English and repair work within three months.