BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto –
Sokoto State Government, in collaboration with UNICEF and funding from ELEVA Foundation, has commissioned a digital village at the Sultan Maccido Institutes for Qu’ran and General Studies.
This pioneering initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and provide Almajiri and out-of-school adolescent girls with access to digital technology, literacy skills, and entrepreneurial training.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Executive Secretary of Sokoto State Arabic and Islamic Board, Alhaji Ahmad Baba Altine, highlighted the significance of the project, saying, “This digital village is the first of its kind in the country. Only last week, the governor of Katsina State sent a delegation to Sokoto on a study tour to learn why our Almajiri education system is succeeding.”
The digital village, a state-led project, seeks to address child vulnerabilities, build resilience, and unlock the potential of marginalized children.
According to UNICEF’s Chief of Sokoto Field Office, Mr. Michael Juma, “The Digital and Skilling Village is an investment aimed at proactively addressing child vulnerabilities, building resilience, and unlocking the potential for Almajiri and out-of-school adolescent girls who are often left behind.”
Mr. Juma, speaking on behalf of UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Cristian Muntaune, appreciated the state government’s collaboration, highlighting the plight of Almajiri system graduates who lack formal education and skills, leading to poverty, social exclusion, and abuse.
He noted, “Nigeria has about 13.2 million out-of-school children; 69% of them are from Northern Nigeria, with 60% of them being girls. It is essential to note that there are an estimated 9.5 million Almajiri across the country, with the highest concentration in the Northern part of the country.”
Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, assured his government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that benefit the people, aligning with his 9-point smart agenda.
He stated, “We remain committed to supporting initiatives that will be beneficial to the people of the state, in line with our 9-point smart agenda.”
The digital village will provide children and young people lacking adequate parental care, as well as surrounding vulnerable communities, with meaningful access to digital technology and digital literacy skills. This will support their education, protection, and development needs, as well as life skills and entrepreneurial training.
UNICEF has assured continued support for Sokoto State’s efforts to provide a lifeline for vulnerable children. Mr. Juma emphasized, “Today, we are all here to launch the first digital village for Almajiri and Out-of-School Adolescent girls in Sokoto State. This Digital Village and Skills Acquisition centre aims to close the digital divide and provide children and young people with meaningful access to digital technology and digital literacy skills.”
The commissioning ceremony was attended by state commissioners and officials, who praised the initiative as a transformative step for the state and its people. The state government provided the building, while UNICEF, with funding from ELEVA Foundation, supplied the equipment.
This groundbreaking initiative marks a significant step towards addressing the challenges faced by Almajiri and out-of-school children in Sokoto State and beyond.
