In a major step towards bridging the digital divide and empowering vulnerable children, UNICEF, in partnership with the Sokoto State Government and supported by the Eleva Foundation, has launched a Digital Village at the Sultan Machido Institute in Sokoto.
The initiative is designed to provide essential digital and vocational training to 250 children, 150 Almajiri, and 100 out-of-school adolescent girls, offering them access to structured learning sessions held three times a week. These sessions, delivered in local languages, cover digital literacy, vocational training, foundational literacy, numeracy, and life skills development.
According to Susan Akila, UNICEF’s Communication and Advocacy Specialist, the Digital Village integrates youth innovation and technological literacy while also serving as a safe space for mentorship and personal development. She noted that the programme addresses the lack of educational and vocational opportunities for these underserved groups and aims to promote economic independence and social inclusion.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Sokoto State Governor, Dr Ahmed Aliyu, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to education and youth empowerment under his nine-point “Smart innovative agenda.” He described the Digital Village as “a significant opportunity” for Sokoto’s youth, saying it would equip them with the tools to succeed in a technology-driven world.
UNICEF Nigeria’s Country Representative, Ms Cristian Munduate, represented by Michael Juma, Chief of Field Office in Sokoto, highlighted the agency’s commitment to ensuring that marginalised children are not left behind in the digital age. “By equipping Almajiri children and out-of-school adolescent girls with digital skills, we are building their capacity to thrive in a tech-driven world,” Juma said.
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The event was attended by several dignitaries including the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, state officials, religious leaders, and community stakeholders.
In addition to the Digital Village, UNICEF and its partners also commissioned a warehouse, now handed over to the Sokoto State Government. The facility, equipped with racking and a forklift, will bolster the safety and security of nutrition supplies. Supported by USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the warehouse is expected to significantly support child-focused programmes tackling malnutrition and improving health outcomes.
The occasion also marked the official adoption and launch of Sokoto State’s new Food and Nutrition Policy, aimed at combating malnutrition, food insecurity, and diet-related diseases.
