BY FUNMILAYO ADEYEMI
Two years ago, Abubakar Mustapha’s life was filled with uncertainty. Like many young people in Shuni, a community in Dange-Shuni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, he struggled to find a stable source of income.
However, his fortunes changed when he participated in an empowerment training programme run by UNICEF, with support from the Eleva Foundation.
This initiative marked the beginning of an unforgettable transformation in his life. At first, Mustapha was unsure of what to expect.
The programme introduced him to the art of shoemaking, a craft he had never considered. Yet, with patience and dedication, he mastered the skill, turning pieces of leather into finely crafted footwear.
What began as a simple learning opportunity soon became a pathway to financial independence.
But Mustapha’s journey was not just about personal success. Understanding the power of knowledge, he has since trained four other individuals, passing on the skills that changed his life.
For him, shoemaking is more than just a trade, but a symbol of resilience. With every pair of shoes he creates, he not only shapes leather but also forges a better future for himself and those he mentors.
“I was an Almajiri, moving from house to house. But that is no longer my reality. I now earn money from the skill I learned, and I have trained other boys”.
His craftsmanship has gained recognition, allowing him to earn ₦11,000 or more per week, enough to sustain his needs and improve his overall well-being.
Similarly, Faiza Bello grew up in a community where opportunities for girls were scarce.
She often wondered what the future held for her.
Her life took a new turn when she discovered a child-friendly space centre, established by UNICEF in three Local Government Areas of Sokoto State, with support from the Eleva Foundation.
At the centre, Bello found more than just a place to learn. She embraced literacy and vocational training programmes, equipping herself with essential skills for a brighter future.
Through mentorship and hands-on training, she gained practical knowledge that enabled her to earn a living.
“The centre has done a lot for adolescent girls in this community. Since UNICEF and the Eleva Foundation came, we have been able to escape challenges like early marriage and poverty.
“We can now stand on our own, run businesses, and even support others. Many girls have come to the centre to receive help,” she said.
Beyond vocational skills, Bello also received training on proper nutrition and healthy eating, ensuring she could take better care of herself and her loved ones.
Also, she was educated on comprehensive sex education and gender-based violence awareness, empowering her to make informed decisions and stand up for her rights.
Likewise, UNICEF’s intervention rescued a 15-year-old girl (name withheld) from an early marriage.
Albeit her young age, her family had arranged the marriage due to financial hardship.
However, swift action by UNICEF and relevant child protection agencies prevented the marriage and ensured she was placed in a safe environment.
As part of the support, she is now enrolled in a child-friendly space centre for vocational training, giving her the opportunity to acquire skills for a better future.
These experiences reflect the impact of UNICEF’s efforts to support Almajiri children and out-of-school adolescent girls in northwest Nigeria.
The Almajiri system, which traditionally involves young boys leaving home to receive Islamic education, often leaves them without access to formal schooling, proper care, or financial security.
Currently, around 10 million children in northern Nigeria are part of the Almajiri system, many of whom lack basic welfare (UNICEF).
A 2024 study found that for every six boys who enter the system, three die, two go missing, and only one survives.
The mortality rate stands at 308 deaths per 1,000 births, significantly higher than the national average of 132 per 1,000 (International Journal Corner).
In Kano city, nearly 1,400 Qur’anic schools accommodate 150,000 Almajiri boys, often in poor sanitary conditions, leading to high rates of open defecation (Sanitation Learning Hub).
Similarly, adolescent girls face numerous barriers to education due to socio-cultural and economic factors.
Recognising these challenges, UNICEF has been working to bridge the gap by equipping children with both academic and vocational skills.
Additionally, the organisation is improving data collection for better planning and resource allocation.
Speaking at a recent media dialogue in Sokoto State, UNICEF Child Protection Specialist Pius Uwamanua emphasised the role of education and skills training in addressing these issues.
He explained that child-friendly space centres serve as comprehensive facilities, offering mentorship, life skills training, and vocational programmes.
According to Uwamanua, these projects are currently being implemented in five North-West states: Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Sokoto, and Katsina.
“Despite increased primary school enrolment in Sokoto State, 113,208 Almajiri children, mostly boys, are still living outside of family care, while 136,315 adolescent girls remain out of school”.
The centres provide multi-sectoral training in vocational, digital, and financial literacy skills, empowering Almajiri children and out-of-school adolescent girls to become self-reliant.
The vocational programmes include knitting, cosmetology, tailoring, and shoemaking.
The centres also offer mentorship for children at risk of early marriage and gender-based violence.
“The initiative has created a safe space where children can build trust and receive the necessary support, including legal services and psychosocial assistance,” Uwamanua said.
UNICEF Chief of Field Office in Sokoto, Mr Michael Juma, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to working with the Sokoto State Government and other partners to expand education access and support marginalised children.
Juma noted that household data collection on Almajiri children and out-of-school adolescent girls has been instrumental in shaping education programmes.
He however acknowledged that identifying affected households remains a challenge.
“To inform education programme design, we are currently using a mapping technique to identify all out-of-school children. This approach has yielded notable successes, particularly in vocational skills training,” he explained.
He further called for sustained investment in education to reduce the number of out-of-school children and provide them with better opportunities.
Similarly, Mallam Yusuf Ibrahim, Director of Child Development and Protection at the Sokoto State Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, urged the state government to commit to sustaining the skills empowerment centres.
He emphasised the need for revolving funding to ensure long-term sustainability.
“The digital village for Almajiri and out-of-school adolescent girls is a model that the state government can adopt.
“Our ministry is ready to provide leadership, technical expertise, and monitoring to ensure the centres remain effective”.
Addressing the shortage of female teachers, which affects both education access and healthcare delivery, Ibrahim also advocated for the recruitment of more female teachers.
The District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Muhammad Jabbi, urged the government to support initiatives that improve the lives of Almajiri children and out-of-school youths.
He expressed gratitude to UNICEF and the Eleva Foundation for their efforts, noting that their programmes have been instrumental in bridging the education gap for marginalised children.
While acknowledging the impact of these initiatives, he stressed the need for government intervention to ensure their continuity and sustainability.
Analysts say with early marriage and out-of-school adolescents still a prevalent issue, UNICEF’s intervention serves as a beacon of hope.
They opined that with strong government backing, these projects can have a lasting impact, reducing illiteracy and equipping vulnerable children with the skills needed for a better future.
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