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Tag: New Horizons

  • New Horizons integrates Chinese language into Nigeria’s ICT

    New Horizons integrates Chinese language into Nigeria’s ICT

    New Horizons Nigeria has integrated the Chinese (Mandarin) language into its ICT curricular as an elective, thereby positioning Nigerians for relevance in the rapidly changing world order.

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

    With over 80 per cent 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.

    Managing Director and CEO of New Horizons Systems Solutions Limited, Nigeria, Mr. Tim Akano, said the program represents far more than a language course. He said 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.

    Read Also: Chinese mining firms deny allegations of illegal activities, terrorism in Nigeria

    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. 20 outstanding students will receive an additional scholarship valued at $2,500 per student 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 85per cent 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 via 08125541750

  • New Horizons targets 1m Almajiris for tech empowerment

    New Horizons targets 1m Almajiris for tech empowerment

    New Horizons Nigeria has unveiled its Almajiri-to-tech initiative aimed at empowering Almajiris and turning them into computer technicians in 90 days.

    Chief Executive Officer of New Horizons Nigeria, Tim Akano disclosed this during the launch of the training programme for 21 Almajiris in Abuja on Monday.

    He said through the initiative, the company hopes to remove one million Almajiris from the streets across Nigeria and equip them with essential digital skills in the next one year.

    Akano explained that the initiative is designed to empower the participants by transforming them into computer technicians within 90-days, tagged, ”From the streets to technicians in 90 days.”

    Akano, who revealed that the training package costs the institute N50million, added that it covers the costs of training, food, clothes, logistics and tools for all the trained Almajiris.

    He said besides Abuja being the pilot programme, the training would be extended to Kano, Kaduna, Zamafara and other parts of the country.

    The New Horizons Nigeria boss underscored the need to move from heavy expenditure on security measures to strategic investments in social development, arguing that success in this effort would significantly reduce the vast sums currently spent on tackling insecurity.

    He added that his estimates indicate that empowering Almajiris could boost Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) by as much as $20 billion within the next 14 to 15 months.

    He said: “If we win this battle, the billions of naira or dollar we spend in fighting insecurity, we don’t need to be spending that billions again, because my calculation shows that if we empower the Almajiri, we can grow our GDP to up to $20 billion in the next 14 or 15 months.

    “The population we have today 15 million Almajiris, and at the birth rate of 3.0 every year. If nothing is done by 2030 we are going to have 30 million Almajiris, which means Abuja where the elite hide today will also become inhabitable.”

    Also speaking, Chairman, Board of Trustees, People Expertise and Excellence Foundation, Engr. Abdullahi Bukar, commended New Horizons Nigeria for what he described as a bold and timely initiative capable of addressing both social exclusion and national security challenges.

    He noted that empowering Almajiris with practical digital skills would not only provide them with sustainable livelihoods but also integrate them productively into the economy, reducing vulnerability to crime and extremism.

    Read Also: Educating the Almajiris

    Bukar stressed that the government alone cannot solve the Almajiri challenge, calling for stronger collaboration between the private sector, civil society organisations and relevant government agencies.

    According to him, initiatives such as the Almajiri-to- tech programme demonstrated how targeted skills development can serve as a long-term solution to poverty and insecurity, urging policymakers to support and scale similar interventions nationwide.

    He further appealed to development partners and well-meaning Nigerians to invest in human capital development, particularly among vulnerable groups, describing it as a critical pathway to national stability and economic growth.

    Bukar expressed confidence that with sustained support and effective coordination, the programme could transform lives and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s quest for inclusive development.

    Also speaking, Founder, Girl Child Concern, Dr. Mairo Mandara described the initiative as a practical model for addressing vulnerability among disadvantaged children through skills acquisition and empowerment.

    She stressed that equipping Almajiris with digital competencies would enhance their self-reliance and dignity, while also contributing to broader efforts to promote social inclusion and national development, calling on stakeholders to sustain and replicate the programme across the country.

    Mandara warned that failure to train and empower them could turn the situation into a ticking time bomb with serious consequences.

    One of the participants, Fatima Umar, expressed gratitude to New Horizons and its partners for the opportunity.

    Umar, who spoke on behalf of the trainees, said that the training would give participants hope for a better future and valuable skills that would enable them to become self-reliant, while pledging their commitment to making good use of the knowledge acquired and contributing positively to society.