RismadarVoice Reporters
October 17, 2026
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged the Federal Government to revive the Almajiri education programme and the Great Green Wall project as part of efforts to address insecurity, unemployment and poverty in Nigeria.
Jonathan appealed on Saturday in Abuja during the public presentation of Beyond the Bullets: Policing Terrorism in a Democratic System, a book written by former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar.
Represented by his former Chief of Staff, Mike Oghiadomhe, Jonathan said both initiatives, introduced during his administration, were designed to create economic opportunities and address conditions that make young people vulnerable to recruitment by terrorist groups.
He explained that the Almajiri schools initiative sought to combine religious education with vocational training, equipping young people with practical skills for self-reliance.
“My administration engaged in the establishment of Almajiri schools, aimed at providing skills to millions of youth beyond religious education only,” he said.
The former president also highlighted the Great Green Wall project’s potential to combat desertification, improve agricultural productivity and create employment through farming and livestock production.
“I therefore use this opportunity to call on government to revisit and review these programmes,” Jonathan stated.
He emphasised that terrorism required sustained national commitment, policy continuity and cooperation among successive administrations rather than reliance on military operations alone.
Also speaking, President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, stressed that job creation and economic development were essential to defeating terrorism and banditry.
“If you don’t create jobs, it’s difficult to fight terrorism and get it out of the way,” Dangote said.
He urged private-sector operators to support government efforts through investments that generate employment and expand economic opportunities.
Dangote also referenced an estimate attributing approximately $100 billion in cumulative economic losses to the conflict in North-East Nigeria, warning that the actual impact could be greater.
Meanwhile, the book’s author, Mohammed Abubakar, called for counterterrorism operations that respect human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law.
“Fighting terrorism should never mean treating the whole community as suspects,” he said.
Abubakar warned that excessive force and discriminatory security practices could weaken public confidence and undermine cooperation between communities and security agencies.
He advocated stronger intelligence coordination, credible investigations, evidence-based prosecutions and accountability in security operations.
The former police chief also emphasised the importance of the judiciary, legislature, media and civil society in safeguarding democratic institutions.
The speakers agreed that Nigeria’s fight against insecurity must combine effective security operations with education, employment opportunities, economic development and respect for human dignity.
