A tech startup in Nigeria, New Horizons Nigeria, has launched a new skills-acquisition programme specifically designed to train street children and vulnerable Almajiri children (child beggars) in computer hardware repairs. The programme was officially launched in Abuja with the primary goal of removing these children from the streets and equipping them with the skills to become self-dependent, offering a sustainable alternative to begging.
The Chief Executive Officer of New Horizons, Mr Tim Akano, stated that the initiative was born from an urgent need to address the plight of millions of unskilled and unemployed young Nigerians who have little hope for the future. He emphasised his decision to move beyond simply discussing the problem and instead take direct action to empower these children. This move comes against a backdrop of a vast population of young Nigerians lacking skills, jobs, and prospects.
Akano explained that the programme specifically targets Almajiri children, arguing that their proven ability to memorise and learn religious texts demonstrates they possess the intellectual capacity to acquire technical skills. He stressed that knowledge is universal and not limited by religion or region, asserting that if something can be taught, it can be learned.
This rationale forms the core belief that these children are fully capable of mastering computer technology.
How the Training Program Will Run
The pilot phase of the programme is structured to run for 90 days, during which participants will receive hands-on training in repairing laptops and desktop computers, building basic computer systems, and even assembling their own computers. To foster engagement and teamwork, the trainees have been divided into four competing teams, with incentives and rewards planned for their graduation ceremony.
Also, Akano revealed a broader and more ambitious goal to take one million Almajiri youths off the streets within one year. The initiative will start in Abuja before expanding to other states such as Kano, Kaduna, and other parts of the country. This large-scale vision aims to create a significant and widespread impact on the lives of vulnerable children across Nigeria.Akano directly linked the issue of youth unemployment to the rising insecurity in the country. He argued that empowering young people with marketable skills could dramatically reduce the vast amounts of money spent annually on security operations. The programme aims to tackle the root causes of insecurity, hunger, and poverty by providing a legitimate path to earning a living.
Highlighting the potential economic impact, Akano noted that a typical computer technician can earn between ₦10,000 and ₦15,000 daily. He posited that if millions of youths were earning legitimately at that level, it would lead to a drastic reduction in social vices and contribute to building a more prosperous nation. He also warned of a future crisis, stating that if no action is taken, the Almajiri population could double to about 30 million by 2030, posing a serious threat to urban centres like Abuja.
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New Horizons Working in Collaboration with People’s Education Foundation (PEF)
The programme is being implemented in collaboration with the People’s Education Foundation (PEF) and several Islamic organisations, which helped identify and document the participating children. Akano described the Almajiri challenge as a national crisis, not merely a regional or religious one, and stated that the initiative is open to further partnerships. Notably, the project is 100 per cent privately funded by NeoRising Nigeria, with the first phase costing about ₦50 million and involving no government funding.
About New Horizons
New Horizons Nigeria itself is a franchisee of the global New Horizons computer training company. The firm’s vision is to be the foremost provider of IT training in Nigeria, guided by values of integrity, innovation, and a culture of responsibility. It is prioritizing Nigeria as a large market where IT skills are still very low compared to other parts of the world.
Its Almajiri initiative in Nigeria has received praise from figures like Dr Mairo Mandara, founder of Girl Child Concerns, who described it as transformative with the potential to change lives and inspire broader support for skills-based empowerment.