The Almajiri to Tech Foundation has graduated its first 21 beneficiaries after six months of intensive training in information and communication technology, entrepreneurship and character development. At a graduation ceremony in Abuja, the foundation celebrated the transformation of former Almajiri children into skilled technology technicians and aspiring entrepreneurs, with government officials, development partners, industry stakeholders and community leaders in attendance.
Founder of the initiative and Chief Executive Officer of New Horizons Nigeria, Tim Akano, described the programme as a practical response to youth unemployment, out of school children and insecurity. He said the graduates received hands on training in computer assembly and repair, mobile phone and laptop maintenance, drone assembly, electronics troubleshooting, projector repair and entrepreneurship, adding that technology remains a powerful tool for social and economic transformation.
The ceremony featured live demonstrations of the graduates’ newly acquired skills, including computer assembly, drone construction, robotics and device repairs. Former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, who chaired the event, praised the initiative as a model for tackling poverty and social exclusion, urging governments, private organisations and development partners to support its expansion across Nigeria.
Outstanding participants received awards, certificates, technical tools and business support packages to help launch careers in the technology sector. The foundation reaffirmed its commitment to extending the programme to more vulnerable children, while stakeholders described the initiative as a scalable model for promoting digital skills, entrepreneurship and inclusive economic development.