UNICEF, Sokoto Govt Launch Digital Village, Nutrition Warehouse For Children
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Sokoto State Government, has launched a state-of-the-art Digital Village and commissioned a modern Nutrition Warehouse in Sokoto aimed at uplifting Almajiri children and out-of-school adolescent girls.
The Digital Village, located at the Sultan Maccido Institute in Sokoto, is designed to provide digital literacy, vocational training, entrepreneurial skills, foundational education in literacy and numeracy, and essential life skills, with all instruction delivered in local languages to ensure accessibility and cultural relevance.
The Digital Village project is funded by the ELEVA Foundation as a generous support to underscore the vital role of private philanthropy in advancing inclusive development, with the first phase targeting 250 beneficiaries, including 150 Almajiri children and 100 out-of-school adolescent girls, who will receive training three times a week, equipping them with marketable skills for economic self-reliance and social inclusion.
Speaking at the commissioning, Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu described the Digital Village as a “game-changer” for youth development and a strategic tool for reducing inequality.
He said that his administration is committed to supporting initiatives that will empower children with the knowledge and skills needed for a brighter future.
“ We are fully committed to giving healthcare and nutrition the attention they truly deserve. A healthy, educated population is the foundation of sustainable development.”
Representing UNICEF at the event, the Chief of Field Office in Sokoto, Micheal Juma, describes how the initiative reflects their commitment to bridging the digital divide for the most vulnerable and underserved children.
“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.”
While inaugurating the Nutrition Warehouse, Juma explained that the project was funded by the USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
He said that the facility will serve as a central hub for the storage and timely distribution of critical nutrition supplies to vulnerable communities across the state.
Governor Aliyu simultaneously launched the Sokoto State Policy on Food and Nutrition, which he described as “a roadmap to healthier communities” and an essential tool in the state’s fight against child malnutrition.
Nigeria currently has over 2 million malnourished children, the second-highest burden globally—a statistic that underscores the urgency of such interventions.
“This warehouse is a beacon of hope,” Governor Aliyu declared. “It symbolises our dedication to ensuring that no child in Sokoto suffers from malnutrition. We are also offering free medical care for pregnant women and children and intensifying immunisation campaigns to eradicate diseases like polio.”
Also speaking, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar emphasised the importance of collective action in ensuring the success of these initiatives.
UNICEF, Sokoto Govt Launch Digital Village, Nutrition Warehouse For Children is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
