But three months ago, New Horizons Nigeria, the world’s largest independent ICT training organization decided to stop looking at 15 million children with pity and started looking at them as a powerhouse of untapped technical talent.

They made a N50 million bet on a single premise: with the right tools, a street child can become a tech professional.

Today, that move is paying off.

The Transformation: From Begging to Benchwork

The New Horizons Nigeria Almajiri-to-Tech Foundation isn’t just a charity project; it’s a high-stakes human capital revolution. After 90 days of intensive, 100% scholarship-funded training, the first cohort has emerged not just literate in tech, but master technicians.

These young men, once overlooked by society, can now confidently strip, diagnose, and repair:

• High-end Smartphones & Laptops

• Complex Inverter Batteries & Power Banks

• Essential Home Electronics (Microwaves, Fans, and more)

“We moved from uncertainty to opportunity,” says Mr. Tim Akano, the founder of New Horizons Nigeria. “This is transformation in action, shifting the narrative from a social burden to a technical workforce.”

Your Broken Device, Their Big Break

The journey doesn’t end in the classroom. On April 16, 2026, these newly minted technicians launch a two-month intensive internship where they will tackle real-world hardware challenges.

This is where you come in. Instead of letting your faulty devices gather dust, you can play a pivotal role in a child’s professional debut.

Don’t Just Watch the Change, Power It

This is a rare moment in the tech ecosystem where social impact meets practical utility. By bringing your repairs to the New Horizons Abuja office, you aren’t just getting a fix; you are providing the “Big Break” for a dream that started on the streets.

The future of Nigerian tech is being built by hands you’d never expect.

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The newly commissioned center, strategically located in Akute, is expected to serve learners and professionals across Alagbado, Ajuwon, Matogun, Lambe, Ojodu-Berger, Isheri, Giwa, Iju-Ishaga, Ishasi, and Oke-Aro.

This initiative has brought internationally recognized ICT training closer to thousands of young people and working adults. For years, distance and accessibility have limited many aspiring tech professionals from enrolling in structured, global-standard programs.

With this expansion, residents no longer need to travel long distances to acquire in-demand digital skills.

New Horizons Nigeria, widely recognized as Africa’s largest ICT training organization, continues to strengthen its footprint in Nigeria’s digital education sector.

In 2025, the institution received the prestigious Best ICT Training Company award from CompTIA in South Africa.

This further reinforce its leadership position within the continent’s technology training ecosystem.

As a franchise of New Horizons International, which operates in over 90 countries across six continents, the organization has consistently aligned with global best practices while addressing local capacity gaps.

The organization currently provides ICT training services to more than 30 universities and nearly 200 high schools nationwide.

The center would be used for the training of high-end technical courses like Cyber Security, Web Development, Artificial intelligence, Full Stack, Graphics and CompTIA courses like Hardware, Network and Security Plus.

New Horizons trains over 100,000 students yearly across 27 universities and 150 secondary schools, as well as corporate organizations, government agencies and retail offices.

Students trained by New Horizons Nigeria are always well-sought after in the labour market after graduation and the certificate they obtain are recognized in all the 90 countries where New Horizons have offices.

Speaking on the broader vision behind the expansion, Mr. Tim Akano, the founder and chief executive officer, emphasized that the future of the nation’s economy depends largely on accessible and practical tech education.

He noted that in today’s digital economy, virtually 100 percent of jobs require some level of IT skill, regardless of one’s field of study. From finance and healthcare to agriculture, media, engineering and public administration, technology now drives productivity and competitiveness.

He further stated that IT has evolved from being a specialized field to becoming a foundational requirement for career growth and wealth creation.

Acquiring digital skills, he stressed, remains one of the most strategic pathways to higher earning potential and long-term financial stability.

Furthermore, he stated that young Nigerians considering relocation abroad need to prioritize acquiring IT skills before traveling.

He asserted that obtaining internationally relevant technology training outside Nigeria is significantly more expensive than enrolling locally.

By gaining these skills locally, individuals position themselves for better opportunities overseas. Rather than struggling to survive in low-paying or unrelated jobs, they can compete as skilled professionals in global labour markets.

Also, holding a globally recognized certifications from New Horizons Nigeria gives candidates a competitive edge, and enhances their credibility and employability abroad.

As of January 2026, New Horizons Nigeria and its CEO have collectively received over 320 national, continental, and international awards, making them one of the most decorated institutions and individuals in Nigeria’s technology, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment space.

The launch of the New Horizons Nigeria Akute retail center signals more than physical expansion; it represents a deliberate effort to democratize access to technology education at the grassroots level.

With increasing demand for skills in cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, software development, and digital business solutions, the new center is positioned to become a hub for digital transformation within Ogun State and its border communities.

New Horizons Nigeria is a leading ICT training and solutions provider committed to provide individuals and institutions with future-ready skills.

Through innovative program, global partnerships, and strategic foresight, the organization continues to redefine education, workforce development, and global competitiveness.

With over 80% of global consumer products manufactured in China and China’s growing dominance in global supply chains and labour markets, New Horizons Nigeria recognizes the urgent need for the current generation to understand, speak, and engage with the Chinese language and culture.

As global economic power dynamics evolve, the labour market is increasingly tilting towards China, making Mandarin proficiency a critical competitive advantage.

According to Mr. Tim Akano, managing director and CEO of New Horizons Systems Solutions Limited, Nigeria, the program represents far more than a language course.

He asserted that very soon, the global labour market is likely to increasingly reflect China’s influence rather than the predominantly western orientation it currently exhibits.

Language will be a major differentiator and the first Chinese-speaking technology experts in Nigeria will have a significant advantage, especially in integration into Chinese companies operating locally and globally.

Therefore, New Horizons Nigeria has officially launched a Mandarin Scholarship Program with China Advancement Opportunity, selecting 100 outstanding students from five prominent Nigerian secondary schools.

This initiative marks a major milestone in Nigeria–China educational cooperation and reflects a forward-thinking response to shifting global economic realities.

Furthermore, the scholarship program has commenced with an intensive three-month online Mandarin training and at the end of the program, the top-performing students will be selected strictly on merit.

Twenty (20) outstanding students will receive an additional scholarship valued at $2,500 per students to participate in a one-year pre-degree Mandarin and cultural immersion program in China.

From this group, the best candidates will progress to fully funded admission scholarships into top universities in China.

This initiative is designed not only to build language proficiency but also to enhance global competence, international exposure, and cultural intelligence among Nigerian students.

Also, to maintain international academic standards, participating schools are required to comply with strict guidelines.

They will be obligated to join the online classes ten minutes earlier, they must have a minimum of 85% attendance throughout the program, and must ensure they have a stable internet connectivity, reliable power supply and a conducive learning environment.

Therefore, School owners and administrators have been formally congratulated and strongly encouraged to nominate their most disciplined, and committed students, as advancement to the China program will be strictly merit-based.

However, apart from students, international business men are equally encouraged to attend New Horizon’s Mandarin executive lessons which will equip them with basic Chinese language to enhance their business communications.

Additionally, while the pilot phase begins with selected secondary schools which includes Startrite School, Lightway School, British Nigerian Academy School, Honeyland Schools and Great Heights School, the Mandarin program will be available as an elective ICT course at all New Horizons retail centers.

This is done to extend access to students and learners beyond its partner schools and within one year, committed learners will be able to communicate effectively in Mandarin, which will open doors to global employment, trade, and cultural exchange.

In conclusion, a Mandarin Cultural Fiesta will be hosted, bringing together educators, students, institutional partners, and distinguished guests from China and Nigeria.

The event will celebrate outstanding performance, cross-cultural exchange, and the strengthening of bilateral educational ties.

For enquiries and participation details, interested individuals are encouraged to contact New Horizons Nigeria.

Traditionally sent out to seek religious knowledge, millions now scramble for daily survival on the streets, invisible to most yet painfully present to themselves and their families.

This entrenched social dilemma reflects not personal failure, but a persistent failure of opportunity. New Horizons Nigeria’s Almajiri-to-Tech initiative (estimated to cost over ₦50 million) is changing that story.

At its core, the Almajiri-to-Tech scheme is simple yet profound: a 90-day, fully-funded, hands-on technical skills training designed to take children off the street and into the skilled workforce.

Participants are immersed in practical learning, from computer and mobile repairs to sustainable electronic practices, alongside mindset reorientation that teaches discipline, citizenship, patriotism, and the dignity of work. All essentials for responsible adulthood.

This initiative is not a quick fix. It is a reclaiming of human dignity, reframing abandonment into opportunity, neglect into investment, and hopelessness into hope.

It recognizes that no child is born worthless, only underserved by a system that too often equates survival with street begging instead of structured opportunity.

Learning from the World: Human Capital as the Engine of Transformation

Nation-building is not a serendipitous event. Throughout history, countries that have risen from poverty and underdevelopment did so by intentionally investing in their people.

In East Asia, China’s focus on vocational and technical education has been a pillar of its economic rise. Strategic investment in skill training, closely linked to industry needs, has helped deliver millions of competent workers whose talents support innovation and productivity, expanding incomes and sustaining rapid growth.

Similarly, Japan and Germany have long placed technical education at the heart of workforce excellence, integrating vocational pathways with industrial excellence so that young people find dignity and opportunity in skills that drive economic competitiveness.

These systems don’t just educate, they empower.

In the United States, too, apprenticeship programs and workplace training historically helped millions transition into meaningful careers, bridging education and employment with real economic impact. Skills, not just degrees, became pathways to prosperity and security.

These global templates share a common lesson: nations that develop robust human capital unleash unparalleled creative and economic energy. The strategy is not merely technical, it is profoundly human.

Why Almajiri-for-Tech Matters for Nigeria

Nigeria stands at a pivotal point. With an estimated 15 million Almajiris, and growing, the choices we make today will define our tomorrow.

For too long, reactive security measures have dominated public discourse, deploying force to manage symptoms rather than resolve underlying causes of unrest, poverty and crime.

New Horizons Nigeria’ programme shifts the paradigm: it recognizes that idle and disenfranchised youth are far more fragile and vulnerable than inherently dangerous. What they need is access; access to skills, purpose, economic inclusion, and dignity.

Here’s how this initiative delivers transformation:

1. Tackling insecurity at its root:

When young people lack opportunity, the void left behind is fertile ground for criminality, banditry, and recruitment into violent networks. Training them into skilled workers changes that narrative, reducing vulnerability and promoting peaceful livelihoods.

2. Building a tech-ready workforce:

With digital and technical skills now central to the global economy, preparing youth for the future is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.

Through practical training, these young Nigerians are not just employable, they become part of the country’s competitive creative economy.

3. Human dignity over survival:

By equipping individuals with skills that earn income and respect, the initiative speaks to the human heart.

It transforms self-perception from mere survivor to contributor, nurturing confidence, agency, and aspiration.

4. Economic growth and productivity:

Experts suggest that empowering Almajiris could potentially add billions to Nigeria’s GDP, a reminder that when people are productive, the entire nation gains.

A Call to Action: Scaling What Works

We at Techeconomy vote yes to the Almajiri-to-Tech initiative by New Horizons Nigeria. In fact, it should not be a lonely effort, rather adopted as a national movement, a convergence of government, private sector, civil society, faith organisations, and citizens, aimed at scaling human potential across every community.

Mr. Tim Akano, the initiator and chief implementor of this initiative deserves national commendation and all the support he needs to ensure this is achieved.

Investing in young Nigerians is not charity, it is strategic national security and economic policy. It is a testimony to what Nigeria can become when skills replace streets, dignity replaces despair, and possibility replaces neglect.

If human capital is the currency of progress, then, we recommend Nigeria must mint it with intention, courage, and compassion.

The Almajiri-for-Tech initiative isn’t just a programme, it’s a promise of what’s possible: a generation of empowered, skilled, hopeful young Nigerians ready to shape the future.

This is not merely transformation, it is reclamation of our collective destiny.

Among CompTia most popular certifications are Security plus (S+), Hardware (A+), Network (N+) among others. New Horizons was commended by CompTia’s EMEA Senior Vice president, Mr Jason Moss for meeting and exceeding expectations in sales and services

For New Horizons Nigeria and the CEO, Tim Akano, the CompTia awards would be the number 307 national, Continental and international awards to be received by the company and Tim Akano the Managing Director for excellence in bridging the digital divide between Africa and the rest of the world in the last twenty years.

New Horizons is the Africa’s most Awarded ICT  Technical training company.

In a glittering ceremony held at The Piazza Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa, CompTIA on the 9th of October 2025- the world’s leading vendor-neutral IT certification organization honored New Horizons  Nigeria with the prestigious CompTIA Africa Emerging Partner of the Year in Academic Delivery award.

This recognition marked another milestone in New Horizons Nigeria’s journey of empowering individuals and institutions through cutting-edge technology and hands-on training.

New Horizons Nigeria is the country’s foremost ICT training and certification company that offers cutting-edge skills development in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Engineering, cybersecurity, data analysis, cloud computing, Full stack software development, Digital Marketing, Project Management and more.

With partnerships across global IT certification bodies, New Horizons is committed to raising a new generation of tech-savvy leaders for Africa.

The organization yearly, trains and certifies over 100,000 students across Nigerian universities and high schools, in order to position them for success in today’s digital economy.

In a bid to break financial barriers and promote inclusive learning, New Horizons Nigeria also provides scholarships ranging from 50% to 100% to over 20,000 students annually, with a special focus on members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Recently, New Horizons Nigeria adopted the Federal School of the Blinds, Oshodi Lagos, equipped the computer laboratory with laptops and teaching equipment, attached a certified trainer who herself is visually impaired as an instructor, drawing her salaries from New Horizons to train other visually impaired students all free (about 100 visually impaired students were offered 100% scholarships) to acquire  relevant ICT skills that will make them to be financially independent of charity-oriented existence.

Similarly, New Horizons Nigeria had awarded over 1000 students of Obafemi Awololo university 1000% scholarships to study Artificial intelligence and Digital Marketing between 2023-2025.

The  CompTia awards event, brought together over 400 CompTIA partners and stakeholders from around the world.

Among the distinguished guests was Mr. Akano Timothy Olukayode, Managing Director of New Horizons Nigeria, who attended as an honored invitee in recognition of the company’s remarkable contributions to technology education and capacity-building across Africa.

The atmosphere was charged with excitement and pride as industry leaders gathered to celebrate innovation and excellence.

CompTIA’s executives commended New Horizons Nigeria for its innovative academic programs, dedicated commitment to international certification standards, and far-reaching impact in advancing ICT skills across Nigeria and the continent.

Mr. Akano in his acceptance remarks, expressed deep appreciation to CompTIA for the recognition, and emphasized that the award symbolized not just a celebration of past accomplishments but also a renewed call to serve.

He reaffirmed New Horizons Nigeria’s commitment to bridging technology skills gaps, particularly within underserved communities, while expanding access to world-class IT education across Africa.

This recognition carries profound significance for New Horizons Nigeria. CompTIA, known globally for its vendor-neutral and rigorous certification standards, lends strong credibility to the company’s consistent drive for excellence.

This award further highlights New Horizons Nigeria’s growing influence as a leader in academic delivery, professional training, and workforce development within the African ICT ecosystem.

Also, beyond recognition, the event also provided a platform for strategic networking and collaboration. With high-level executives, government representatives, and global partners in attendance, the event opened new channels for partnerships that could fuel innovation, investment, and policy support for digital education across the region.

As New Horizons Nigeria looks ahead, this honour serves as both validation and motivation. It sets a higher standard for the organization’s future initiatives in curriculum development, outreach, and regional expansion, thereby reinforcing its mission to build a tech-empowered Africa capable of competing and thriving in the global digital economy.

This recognition celebrates  twenty years of New Horizons Nigeria’s outstanding commitment to developing globally competitive digital talents across the country.

With a mission deeply rooted in digital empowerment, New Horizons Nigeria has consistently pioneered innovative IT training and certification solutions tailored for students, graduates, institutions, and professionals.

AFRIBIS in her citation commended New Horizons Nigeria for the robustness of her content, the hands-on methodology in training, and the company’s focus on linking their trainees with Job opportunities through free internships work.

New Horizons Nigeria is the country’s foremost ICT training and certification company that offers cutting-edge skills development in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Engineering, cybersecurity, data analysis, cloud computing, Full stack software development, Digital Marketing, Project Management and more.

With partnerships across global IT certification bodies, New Horizons is committed to raising a new generation of tech-savvy leaders for Africa.

The organization yearly, trains and certifies over 100,000 students across Nigerian universities and high schools, in order to position them for success in today’s digital economy.

In a bid to break financial barriers and promote inclusive learning, New Horizons Nigeria also provides scholarships ranging from 50% to 100% to over 20,000 students annually, with a special focus on members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

According to Mr. Tim Akano, the managing director, New Horizons Nigeria, he stated that the institute aims to equip the next generation of African leaders with globally relevant digital skills that drive innovation, boost competitiveness, and foster transformation.

“New Horizons Nigeria remains dedicated to bridging the digital divide, transforming education through technology, and creating opportunities for young Africans to become key players in the global innovation ecosystem”, he said.

In its twenty years of existence, New Horizons Nigeria has empowered over two million young Nigerians.

The organisation and the CEO has won close to 300 national, Continental and international awards in technology and youth empowerment categories.

New Horizons Nigeria is a franchise of New Horizons international, the world’s largest ICT training organization with offices in 90 countries and across the six continents.

The nine groups with over 60 million strong memberships cut across Nigeria, Africa and in diaspora came through their representatives to recognise and honour the CEO with various awards at New Horizons Head office in Lagos.

Among the groups are the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), Northern Nigeria Students (ANNS), Nigeria Youth Representative Council (NYRC), Coalition of Nigerian Young Patriots (CNYP), Nigerian Youths Initiative for Peace and Good Governance (NYIPGG), Students Coalition Rebirth of Nigeria (SCRN), Inter-Faith Youth Council of Nigeria (IFYCN), National Association of Mathematical Science Students of Nigeria(NAMSSN) and League of African Development Students (LEAD Africa).

Recently, the federal government of Nigeria named Akano as Nigeria’s Icon of Youth Empowerment through the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Skills Acquisitions and Empowerment Department (SAED).

Similarly, over 120 national, continental and international organisations including the Students Union Council (Nigeria Universities Students), Northern Youth Council, Oodua Youths Parliament, Trans Africa Youth Initiatives (TAYI) and Nigeria Committee of Vice-Chancellors have conferred different honours in appreciation of his contributions to mankind. 

Speaking for the Association of Northern Nigeria Students (ANNS), Ambassador Nafiu Danlami,the national secretary, said, “We want to appreciate you for what you have been doing for Nigerian and African youths. You have given us a better platform to showcase Africa to the world through what we produce on the continent and also earn money from it. With this, I am challenging everyone that we can make Nigeria a force to be reckoned with again because you are a man of substance and we encourage you to leave your comfort zone and seek political office to liberate the youth from the shackles of poverty” 

Also speaking, Sunday Asuku, the president of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), said Akano has proven that he has the interest of the youth at heart even when the leaders of the country are not looking at the youth. “I want to tell you that you have rekindled our hope with all you are doing for us and we are glad. So, on behalf of 20 million Nigerian students home and abroad, we honour you with the most prestigious NAPS award, The 2022 Beacon of Hope award, which is given yearly to just one most outstanding Nigerian,” he said.

Daniel Friday, Vice President, Inter-Faith Youth Council of Nigeria (IFYCN), on his part, said: “We are here to honour Tim Akano with the Ambassador of Peace Award because we see him as a leader with an innovative mind and the impact he has made in the lives of youths that once took to violence but now living in peace with others. We appreciate him for that.” 

Receiving the awards from the groups, an elated Tim Akano said he appreciated the thoughts and the thinking that went into it and assured them that it would challenge him to do more.

He said many people have seen the work his company has been doing to transform the lives of youth and this prompted them to give him the awards. 

Akano, however, said he was not doing it because of the recognition but narrated a story of how he met a Nigerian graduate refugee graduate seeking employment many years ago in Switzerland which challenged him to stand in the gap for millions of Nigerian youths who need help and mentorship to identify their talents and guide them to success.

“Over the last two years, I have been receiving dozens of awards from all over the world, and they [these groups] validate the decision I made 18 years ago to leave my job at Coca-Cola and dedicate my life to youth empowerment. I do not do it for the recognition, but it feels good to know that we are truly making an impact in the lives of these young people” 

“This forms the imperative of the establishment of One Africa Initiatives Academy where we Mentor African youths from over 50 countries worldwide. The soon-to-be-unveiled FABAAW is the platform set up to bring prosperity to Africa, especially to the youth. With FABAAW, African youths can network, showcase their talents and do genuine businesses with the global community on mutually beneficial terms, better terms than what is obtainable today on e-commerce and social media platforms”

The New Horizons Nigeria CEO believes that poverty and unemployment are Africa’s twin problems. “Our problems in Africa are the same. Go to Uganda, South Africa, or Nigeria it is the same. Africa has the largest unemployment rate in the world”

Tim Akano said across the globe, African people are known for going to school, graduating and earning certificates. “If you want to be successful in life today, the youth need 4th Industrial skills in Data Science, Cloud Architect, Big Data, and Artificial Intelligence, among others.

“For instance, India’s raw materials are its population and it decided to develop along software line. China toed the line of manufacturing, Israeli owns military security, and Germans are known for their machinery. So for us in Africa, what we can bring to the table that would make our youth prosperous are 4.0 skills.”

He said there is a solution to every problem and the solution to this present generation’s problem is knowing how to use technology to solve the poverty problem, using the newly created FABAAW platform due to be launched in July.

“I have committed the rest of my life to concentrate on the transformation of Africa by raising and grooming the Youths that will take Africa to the promised land before 2063,” concluded Akano.