Rochas to Build Schools for Almajiris in Katsina & 5 Other States
· Education
Former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, has announced a new education initiative that targets vulnerable Almajiri children across northern Nigeria. Speaking during a press briefing, he revealed that his foundation will build model schools in Katsina and five other states as part of a broader mission to tackle illiteracy and social exclusion. According to him, the project aims to integrate Almajiri children into mainstream education, providing them with not only academic knowledge but also vocational skills that could empower them for future livelihoods.
Okorocha explained that his decision was driven by the worsening plight of thousands of street children in northern Nigeria who have limited access to quality education. He added that unless urgent steps are taken, the cycle of poverty and vulnerability will continue to feed insecurity and unemployment. The proposed schools will come equipped with classrooms, dormitories, libraries, and health centres. They are expected to follow a hybrid curriculum blending Islamic and western education to ensure inclusivity and acceptance by local communities.
Community leaders in Katsina welcomed the announcement, noting that the initiative could complement ongoing government interventions. Civil society organizations have also praised the plan, urging transparency and effective monitoring to guarantee the project’s success. With the rising number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, the proposed initiative has been described as timely and potentially transformative. The schools, once completed, may serve as a model for replication in other states struggling with the Almajiri challenge.