Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
Sokoto State Government, in partnership with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and other development organizations, on Tuesday, launched its first-ever Digital Village and Skills Acquisition Centre for almajiri children and out-of-school adolescent girls.
This pioneering effort is set to bridge the digital divide and offer vulnerable youth the tools to forge a path toward a more secure and empowered future.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu, during the inauguration, reaffirmed his administration’s unflinching dedication to healthcare, education, and the general welfare of all citizens.
“We understand that an educated and healthy populace is the cornerstone of a sustainable development. Every citizen, regardless of background, must have access to essential services,” he asserted.
He said since he took over his administration has implemented several progressive health and education policies.
Among the most impactful is the provision of free medical services to pregnant women and children, aimed at drastically reducing maternal and child mortality across the state.
The state’s public health strategy has also seen a reinvigorated immunization campaign targeting poliomyelitis and other deadly childhood diseases. These proactive measures align with the state’s broader ambition of ensuring a healthier, polio-free generation.
Governor Aliyu used the platform to express his administration’s openness to strategic partnerships.
“Sokoto State welcomes collaboration with development organizations such as UNICEF.
“We believe shared responsibility and mutual respect are fundamental in driving meaningful progress,” he said.
A cornerstone of this collaborative effort is the newly established Digital Village, funded by the ELEVA Foundation.
The Centre will provide digital literacy, life skills, entrepreneurial training, and empowerment programs, specifically targeting Almajiri children and out-of-school girls.
This initiative addresses a national crisis: over 13.2 million Nigerian children are out of school, with a staggering 69% from Northern Nigeria. Of these, over 60% are girls, and approximately 9.5 million are part of the Almajiri system.
The Digital Village presents a timely and strategic intervention to combat this alarming trend.
Traditionally focused on spiritual and moral instruction, the Almajiri system has, over time, become synonymous with systemic poverty, exclusion, and limited life opportunities.
The new Centre seeks to transform this narrative by integrating modern education with digital and entrepreneurial skills training.
UNICEF has been instrumental in supporting Sokoto State’s education and child welfare goals, offering technical assistance and policy advocacy to ensure that initiatives like the Digital Village align with broader development objectives.
During the launch, UNICEF outlined three primary requests to the state government: to scale up the Digital Village model to include technical and vocational education; to implement a comprehensive care system for Almajiri children; and to embed these initiatives into the state’s wider development agenda.
More than a physical facility, the Digital Village stands as a beacon of hope and inclusion. It symbolizes the state’s commitment to nurturing human capital, reducing inequality, and promoting resilience among marginalized populations.
The warehouse also commissioned during the launching was made possible through funding from the ELEVA Foundation, with additional support from the Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance and the UK
