No fewer than 60,000 Almajiri children and out-of-school adolescent girls have gained lifelong skills through a transformative initiative by the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, in partnership with the Eleva Foundation.
The project, implemented across Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Sokoto, and Katsina states, has established child-friendly centres offering vocational, digital, and mentorship training. In Sokoto State, three centres located in Dange-Shuni, Kware, and Wamakko Local Government Areas have become safe spaces for learning and support.
Pius Uwamanua, UNICEF’s Child Protection Specialist at the Sokoto Field Office, highlighted the impact of the initiative, noting that 249,523 vulnerable children, including 113,208 Almajiri boys and 136,315 out-of-school girls, had been identified and registered for support.
Under the guidance of the Sultan of Sokoto, a multi-sectoral intervention was developed to address the risks faced by these children. The programme not only equips them with livelihood skills but also provides psychosocial support, legal aid, and health services.
Mrs. Cecilia Eseme, Executive Coordinator of the Centre for People’s Health, Peace, and Progress, 3Ps, stressed the importance of mentorship in helping girls resist pressure for early marriage. She noted that surveillance teams and counselors are actively supporting girls in making informed decisions about their future.
With the culture of silence around early and forced marriages being broken, more families are now willing to report cases, ensuring that vulnerable children receive the protection and resources they need.
NAN
