It is reported that Jonathan made the disclosure while addressing an audience at the Peace Summit organized by the Junior Chamber International, JCI, in Malaysia.
The former president said his administration built 165 Almajiri integrated model schools despite the votes he got from the region.
According to Jonathan, he was inspired to construct the model schools in other to tackle the high rate of illiteracy in the region.
He said, “In Nigeria, there were 10.5 million (about 15% of the population) out of school children who were of school age, going by UNICEF figures, as at the time I became president.
“Over 80% of these children for which majority are known as Almajiri came from the northern part of Nigeria, where I recorded the least votes in the elections I contested.
“Knowing the value of education, I could see that the ugly situation was limiting the opportunities of these children and negatively affecting the development of my country.
“That was why my administration decided to build 165 Almajiri Integrated Model Schools which combined both western and Islamic education in its curricula.”
Jonathan had earlier revealed what influenced his decision to concede the 2015 Presidential election to his successor, President Muhammadu Buhari.
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