Former President Goodluck Jonathan has defended his administration’s Almajiri school programme, saying it was designed to reduce youth vulnerability to extremism and provide economic opportunities for young people across northern Nigeria.
Jonathan spoke during the public presentation of Beyond the Bullets: Policing Terrorism in a Democratic System, a book written by former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar (rtd).
Represented by his former Chief of Staff, Mike Oghiadomhe, Jonathan said the initiative was established to equip young people with vocational and technical skills in addition to religious education.
According to him, the programme was intended to create employment opportunities and reduce the pool of vulnerable youths available for recruitment into violent and criminal activities.
“In furtherance of this, my administration established Almajiri schools aimed at providing skills to millions of young people beyond religious education alone,” Jonathan said.
The former president also urged the government to revisit and strengthen programmes such as the Almajiri schools initiative and the Great Green Wall Project, which he said could help create jobs and tackle insecurity.
Jonathan noted that terrorism remains a long-term national and global challenge requiring sustained collaboration across administrations.
Speaking at the event, former Senate President Bukola Saraki called on Nigerians to support the fight against insecurity, stressing that the responsibility should not be left to the military and police alone.
Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu described the book as an important contribution to discussions on democratic policing and counter-terrorism, while businessman Aliko Dangote commended Abubakar’s contributions to security and the fight against terrorism.
In his remarks, the author urged security agencies to remain professional and uphold the rule of law while carrying out their responsibilities.
