From Streets to Skills: New Horizons Moves Almajiri Youths into Tech Careers

In a bold move to tackle Nigeria’s long-standing Almajiri challenge, New Horizons Nigeria has launched a technology-driven empowerment programme aimed at taking Almajiri youths off the streets and equipping them with practical, income-generating skills.

The initiative, tagged Almajiris-to-Tech, is a 90-day intensive training scheme designed to transform Almajiri youths into skilled computer and electronics technicians. Beyond technical training, the programme places strong emphasis on mindset re-orientation, positioning it as a humane and sustainable alternative to force-based solutions.

New Horizons disclosed in a statement on Sunday that the programme is part of its Corporate Social Responsibility and seeks collaboration with government agencies and non-governmental organisations to address the Almajiri phenomenon through education, empowerment and dignity.

Speaking on the initiative, the Managing Director of New Horizons Nigeria, Tim Akano, said the Almajiri crisis is not the fault of the children but a reflection of collective societal failure.

“Every human being has value and dignity,” Akano said. “These children deserve the opportunity to live meaningful, productive and self-reliant lives.”

He argued that security-focused, kinetic approaches alone cannot solve the problem, stressing that lasting solutions must combine enforcement with empowerment, education and psychological re-orientation.

The programme, scheduled to begin on 19 January 2026 at the New Horizons Training Centre in Abuja, will be implemented in two batches. Participants will receive hands-on training in the repair and maintenance of laptops, desktop computers, mobile phones, televisions, radios, fans, projectors, inverter batteries and other electronic devices.

In a unique innovation component, trainees will also learn environmentally sustainable practices, including recycling electronic waste such as scrap laptop batteries to build inverter systems, rechargeable fans and uninterruptible power supply units.

Recognising that skills alone are not enough, the first week of the programme will focus on mindset re-orientation. Sessions will be facilitated by a psychologist and a senior Imam, conducted in Hausa, and aimed at steering participants away from street begging, hopelessness and violence, while instilling values of discipline, confidence, responsibility, patriotism and hope.

Topics such as good citizenship, hard work and peaceful coexistence will be emphasised to prepare participants for life as responsible members of society.

The first batch of beneficiaries includes 10 participants sponsored by the People Expertise and Excellence Foundation, as well as 10 sponsored by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, a known youth empowerment advocate. New Horizons said the senator’s involvement is aimed at extending his empowerment efforts to Northern Nigeria and Almajiri communities.

At the end of the training, participants will not be abandoned. Graduates will receive market placement support, operational locations and formal settlement as New Horizons Computer Technicians. The best graduating participant will also receive full funding and complete business tools to start work immediately.

To back its commitment, New Horizons said it is investing ₦50 million in the programme, covering feeding, logistics, training materials, branded clothing and working tools.

The organisation also plans to launch a post-training technical portal containing verified details of certified graduates, making it easier for the public to access their services nationwide.

Calling for collective support, New Horizons urged Nigerians and international partners interested in Nigeria’s development to support the initiative via www.almajiritotech.com.

The organisation announced that from April 2026, the first batch of Almajiris-to-Tech graduates will be available across the country to repair phones, computers, televisions, inverters and other electronic devices—marking a shift from street survival to skilled livelihood