From Almajiri to Doctorate: My journey of faith, resilience and service – Dr. Ahmed Bolori
There was a time when people looked at me and confidently said I would not amount to much academically. Some even said I could never earn a diploma. They were not whispering it behind my back; they said it openly, as if it were an undeniable truth. I heard it, I felt it, and I stored it deep within me. Not as an insult to be mourned over, but as fuel for a fire I was determined to keep burning for the rest of my life.
What many people don’t know is that my journey did not begin with comfort or privilege, despite being the son of a prominent businessman in Borno. In my family, there is a tradition that no matter your background, there comes a point in your life when you must pause formal schooling to immerse yourself in memorising the Holy Qur’an and learning about religion and spirituality. That was my path too. At a stage in my youth, I was an Almajiri.
It is important to correct a widespread misconception here. The word Almajiri has often been misused in public discourse, sometimes painted as synonymous with street begging or destitution. But that is not the original meaning. Almajiri comes from the Arabic al-muhajir, meaning one who migrates in search of knowledge. It is a noble tradition in northern Nigeria and across the Muslim world, where children leave home to live with scholars and devote themselves fully to memorising the Qur’an and learning the principles of faith. Like many others from respected families, I too went through this stage, and far from being a setback, it gave me grounding in spirituality, discipline, and resilience. If anything, it shows that being an Almajiri in its true sense can be the foundation for leadership and excellence. My life is a living example of that positive side, and I believe society should work to preserve its values while reforming the challenges that have crept into the system over time.
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When I eventually returned to formal education, I did so with a renewed sense of purpose. The road was never smooth. I worked as a classroom teacher, guiding young learners with limited resources but with a passion for making a difference. I also served as a hospital administrative staff, learning first-hand the challenges of public service delivery in our health sector. These experiences shaped my understanding of governance, service, and the struggles of everyday Nigerians.
Alongside these roles, I found myself drawn into advocacy and peacebuilding. I was among the first set of young people who stepped forward to speak out and push for peace during the height of the Boko Haram insurgency. I joined national and international conversations, met with security agencies, and worked to bridge the gap between communities and authorities. This was at a time when doing so was risky, when even advocating for dialogue could make you a target. But I believed, and still believe, that peace is always worth the risk.
My academic journey ran in parallel with these responsibilities. I studied in hotel rooms, in airport lounges, in moving cars, and often after long nights of official work and meetings. There were days when exhaustion tempted me to give up, but the belief that I could and must rise above expectations kept me going. My professional and academic lives demanded more of me than I thought possible, but I refused to make excuses. I kept pushing forward.
By the grace of Almighty God, today I hold a Doctor of Philosophy in Policy and Strategic Studies from the University of Abuja, a Master’s in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, a Master’s in Information Management from the same institution, and a Master’s in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, also from Ahmadu Bello University. I hold a Bachelor’s in Public Administration from Ahmadu Bello University and a Bachelor’s in International Relations from Ecotes University, Benin. I am also at the advanced research stage of a Doctorate in Health Economics at the Federal University of Lafia.
These achievements are not the product of ease; they are the product of persistence. Alongside them, I have been privileged to serve in high-impact roles including Special Adviser on Public Relations to the Governor of Kogi State, Head of Communications and Liaison at the Kogi State Investment Promotion Agency, and now as Director of Policy and Partnerships at NewGlobe, where I lead policy engagement for JigawaUNITE, a bold and transformative education program of the Jigawa State Government.
Here I must acknowledge His Excellency, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State, whose dedication to transforming education is not mere rhetoric but a living reality. JigawaUNITE, in partnership with NewGlobe, is not just changing schools, it is changing futures. Every day I see the deliberate steps being taken to ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn in a system that inspires excellence and critical thinking. It is work that gives me immense pride, knowing the long-term impact it will have.
My work in education and governance has attracted the attention of leaders beyond Jigawa. In the last year alone, three different state governors across northern Nigeria have reached out to me, inviting me to work with them. While I am deeply honoured by such confidence, I have chosen to focus my energy here in Jigawa because I believe in seeing through what I start. My commitment is to grow through the ranks of NewGlobe, to deliver beyond expectations, and to help build a model of educational reform that can be replicated across the country.
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My journey has not been without trials. In 2016, I faced one of the most public tests of my life when the Nigerian Army wrongly declared me wanted alongside two others over my involvement in peace dialogues aimed at ending the Boko Haram insurgency. I did not hide. I voluntarily presented myself and kept the public informed every step of the way through my Facebook page. Every update I made was shared by media houses and thousands of social media users across the country. That transparency sparked a wave of public support, and it also generated tension, with Nigerians questioning why someone working for peace would be targeted. Within days, the Army admitted their error, cleared me of all allegations, and the then Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, went on to publicly commend my contributions to peace during an award event in Yola.
Looking back now, I know that every phase of my journey, from being an Almajiri, to being doubted, to holding multiple degrees, to serving in strategic government and development roles, has been preparing me for the work I do today. My life is proof that no matter where you start, you can rise, you can learn, you can lead, and you can make a meaningful contribution to your society. To those who doubted me, thank you, you gave me the fuel I needed. To those who believed in me, thank you, you gave me strength. And to myself, I say: we did it.
The future does not simply happen. It is built, brick by brick, choice by choice. And here in Jigawa, through JigawaUNITE, we are building that future one classroom at a time.
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Inspirational story. Keep soaring!