For years, many of them spent their days on the streets, searching for food, asking strangers for help and facing an uncertain future. Today, those same young Nigerians are assembling drones, repairing electronic devices and preparing to launch businesses of their own.
According to AriseTV, a remarkable transformation is unfolding in Abuja, where 21 former Almajiri children have completed an intensive technology training programme that is redefining what is possible for one of Nigeria’s most vulnerable groups. Instead of being identified by hardship, they are now being recognised as skilled technicians and aspiring entrepreneurs ready to contribute to the country’s growing technology ecosystem.
The graduation ceremony, scheduled for July 29, will showcase more than certificates. The participants are expected to demonstrate their newly acquired abilities by assembling computers and drones before guests, providing tangible proof of how practical technology education can create new opportunities for disadvantaged young people.
The initiative focused on practical learning rather than classroom theory alone. Over six months, the trainees learned how to repair mobile phones, laptops, power banks, electric fans and other electronic equipment. They also received hands-on training in drone assembly alongside entrepreneurship lessons designed to prepare them for self-employment and small business ownership.
Organisers say the objective extends beyond teaching technical skills. They hope to equip participants with the confidence, discipline and business knowledge needed to earn sustainable incomes instead of returning to street life. That combination of vocational training and entrepreneurship is increasingly being viewed as one of the most effective ways to tackle youth unemployment and social exclusion.
The programme also reflects Nigeria’s growing interest in advanced technologies such as drones, robotics and electronics manufacturing. As industries ranging from agriculture to logistics, infrastructure and environmental monitoring adopt drone technology, demand for skilled technicians continues to rise across the country.
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Technology Skills Open New Doors for Nigeria’s Youth
Nigeria’s technology sector has become one of the country’s brightest economic success stories, but access to digital opportunities remains uneven. Many talented young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, have limited access to quality education and digital skills training.
Projects like this seek to bridge that gap by giving participants practical experience with equipment they may never have encountered before. Rather than focusing only on software development, the programme exposes trainees to hardware, electronics maintenance and drone assembly, areas that continue to experience growing demand.
Industry experts have repeatedly argued that Nigeria needs more locally trained technicians capable of supporting the country’s expanding technology ecosystem. As local companies increase investment in drone manufacturing, robotics and smart devices, skilled workers will play a critical role in reducing dependence on imported expertise.
Equally significant is the programme’s emphasis on entrepreneurship. Graduates are expected not only to secure employment but also to establish repair centres and technology businesses within their communities. This approach creates opportunities for income generation while encouraging innovation at the grassroots level.
For many of the graduates, the training represents more than a career opportunity. It offers a renewed sense of dignity and purpose after years of social and economic hardship.
Why the Almajiri to Tech Model Matters
The success of the initiative has sparked conversations about whether similar programmes can be expanded across Nigeria.
The country continues to grapple with millions of out-of-school children, many of whom face poverty, limited educational opportunities and uncertain futures. While long-term reforms remain necessary, targeted digital skills programmes are emerging as practical interventions capable of producing measurable results within relatively short periods.
Beyond improving employability, such initiatives help strengthen social inclusion by proving that talent exists in every community when young people are given the right support and opportunity.
Technology education also aligns with Nigeria’s broader ambition to build a knowledge-driven economy powered by innovation, digital entrepreneurship and advanced manufacturing. With increasing investment in artificial intelligence, robotics, drones and automation, developing local technical talent has become an economic priority as much as a social one.
The graduates’ journey sends a powerful message that digital skills can become a pathway out of poverty when combined with mentorship, practical training and business development support.
As they prepare to demonstrate drones they assembled themselves, these young Nigerians are challenging long-held assumptions about who can succeed in technology. Their achievement reminds the country that innovation often begins by giving someone a chance they never had before.
Back Story
The Almajiri system has existed in northern Nigeria for centuries as a traditional method of Islamic education. While many children receive valuable religious instruction, poverty, weak social support systems and limited access to formal education have left large numbers of Almajiri children vulnerable to street begging and economic hardship.
Earlier this year, New Horizons Nigeria launched a pilot Almajiri to Tech programme with an investment of more than N50 million to equip selected participants with practical technology skills and entrepreneurship training. The initiative combined technical education with welfare support, mentoring and hands-on learning. Organisers reported that the pilot recorded full participation and demonstrated that, with the right environment, young people from disadvantaged backgrounds can quickly acquire marketable digital skills.
