A remarkable transformation story is set to unfold in Abuja on July 29 as 21 former Almajiri children, many of whom once survived through street begging, graduate as the pioneer beneficiaries of the Almajiri-to-Tech Initiative, a programme designed to turn vulnerable youths into technology entrepreneurs.

The graduation ceremony, organised by the Almajiri-to-Tech Foundation, will not only celebrate the participants’ achievements but also showcase the practical skills they have acquired over the past six months. Guests at the event will witness the graduates assemble computers and drones live, demonstrating the technical expertise they have developed through intensive training.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Almajiri-to-Tech Foundation, aims to provide a pathway out of poverty by equipping disadvantaged children with marketable technology skills and entrepreneurial knowledge. During the six-month programme, participants received hands-on training in repairing mobile phones, laptops, power banks, electric fans and other electronic devices. They were also taught business management skills to prepare them for self-employment and enterprise development.

Founder of the Almajiri-to-Tech Foundation and New Horizons Group Africa, Tim Akano, said the programme was deliberately designed to offer more than vocational training. According to him, the initiative combines technical education with welfare support, mentorship and character development to ensure participants are equipped for long-term success.

Akano explained that throughout the programme, the children were provided with uniforms, meals, transportation assistance and guidance from religious teachers of their choice, creating an environment that supports both personal and professional growth.

Highlighting the impact of the initiative, he recounted the journey of one of the graduates, Mohammed, who arrived in Nigeria from neighbouring Niger Republic without the ability to speak English. Today, Mohammed is fluent in the language and capable of independently handling electronic repair services for customers.

The foundation believes the programme offers a practical model for addressing some of Africa’s most persistent challenges, including youth unemployment, insecurity, irregular migration and drug abuse. By empowering vulnerable children with valuable skills, organisers say the initiative is helping to unlock a vast pool of human potential that is often overlooked.

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According to the foundation, Nigeria is home to an estimated 30 million out-of-school and Almajiri children, a population it describes as a largely untapped resource that could significantly contribute to national development if provided with access to education and skills training.

To ensure the graduates can immediately put their knowledge into practice, the organisation has secured a workshop facility in Wuse 2, Abuja, where the young technicians will operate for the next year. Members of the public will be able to patronise them directly for repair services, providing the graduates with real-world business experience and a source of income.

In addition, top-performing participants will receive work tools and financial grants to help them establish and expand their own businesses.

Akano stressed that meaningful investment in skills acquisition remains one of the most effective ways to tackle poverty, insecurity and youth migration across Africa. He argued that creating opportunities for young people is a more sustainable solution than relying solely on enforcement measures.

“You do not end migration by building higher walls in Europe. You do not end insecurity and terrorism only through kinetic solutions. You end them by building hope in Africa and giving young people quality skills and opportunities,” he said.

The graduation marks a significant milestone for the Almajiri-to-Tech Initiative, offering a powerful example of how education, technology and entrepreneurship can transform lives and create pathways to economic independence for some of society’s most vulnerable children.