Amanze Chinonye
The renewed debate over Nigeria’s Almajiri system has returned to the national spotlight following a call by Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, for the National Assembly to permanently outlaw the practice.
Speaking at the Summit on Enhancing Human Capital Development in Northern Nigeria in Abuja, the governor argued that the system has become a major driver of the country’s out-of-school children crisis and a significant contributor to rising insecurity across the North.
Sule urged lawmakers to enact legislation abolishing the traditional Almajiri system and replace it with compulsory formal education integrated with skills acquisition.
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According to him, many young people recruited into banditry and other criminal activities are products of the system, making reform an urgent national security priority.
His remarks have reignited a long-running national conversation about the future of a centuries-old Islamic educational tradition that many believe has drifted from its original purpose.
From a Revered Educational Tradition to a National Challenge
The Almajiri system derives its name from the Arabic word Al-Muhajir, meaning “one who migrates in search of knowledge.” For centuries, it served as a respected model of Islamic education across Northern Nigeria, particularly during the Kanem-Borno Empire and the Sokoto Caliphate.
Traditionally, Qur’anic pupils were supported by communities, traditional rulers and wealthy individuals, enabling them to pursue religious education under the care of Islamic scholars.
However, the collapse of these traditional support structures, coupled with rapid population growth, widespread poverty and inadequate public investment in education, transformed many Almajiri schools into institutions where children are left to fend for themselves through street begging and menial labour. What was once a respected religious institution has, in many communities, become associated with child neglect and social exclusion.
The Education Crisis and Its Security Implications
Nigeria currently faces one of the world’s largest education emergencies, with an estimated 18.3 million out-of-school children. Education experts estimate that Almajiri children account for between 72 and 81 per cent of this population, making the system one of the biggest contributors to the crisis in Northern Nigeria.
Governor Sule noted that Nasarawa State alone accounts for about 430,000 out-of-school children, underscoring the magnitude of the challenge confronting northern states.
The governor warned that many minors recruited into banditry and other criminal networks emerged from the Almajiri system after years of neglect and social exclusion. While security analysts caution against branding Almajirai as criminals, they acknowledge that children deprived of education, family support and economic opportunities are more vulnerable to recruitment by criminal gangs, political thugs and extremist groups.
Recalling the mass repatriation of Almajiri children undertaken by Nasarawa and Kaduna states in 2020, Sule maintained that enforcement alone cannot solve the problem without providing sustainable educational alternatives.
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A Problem That Extends Beyond Northern Nigeria
Although commonly associated with the North, the consequences of the Almajiri system are increasingly felt across the country.
Many Almajiri children migrate to cities such as Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Enugu, surviving through street begging and informal labour. Their movement reflects broader challenges of poverty, child neglect and unequal access to education that have become national concerns.
Beyond the social implications, millions of children excluded from quality education represent a significant loss of human capital. Governments consequently spend enormous resources on security operations, rehabilitation and social intervention programmes instead of investing in education, skills development and child welfare. Economists argue that sustained investment in human capital offers far greater long-term returns than responding to the consequences of unemployment and insecurity.
Governor Sule’s Prescription: Ban, Reform and Replace
Governor Sule believes the solution lies in bold legislative action. He has called on the National Assembly to outlaw the Almajiri system and replace it with compulsory formal education integrated with vocational and skills acquisition programmes.
He also urged northern governors, lawmakers, traditional rulers and intellectuals to convert deliberations from the human capital summit into actionable legislation capable of addressing the region’s educational and developmental challenges.
However, education experts argue that any reform must be carefully implemented to preserve the positive values of Qur’anic education while eliminating the conditions that force children onto the streets. They warn that abolishing the system without providing adequate schools, funding, qualified teachers and social support could merely shift the problem rather than resolve it.
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The Way Forward: A Shared National Responsibility
The Almajiri system is no longer solely a Northern Nigerian issue. Its implications for education, security, poverty, child welfare and economic development affect every region of the country.
Governor Sule’s intervention has injected fresh urgency into a debate that successive administrations have struggled to resolve. Whether through abolition, comprehensive reform or a hybrid approach, stakeholders agree that lasting solutions will require coordinated action by governments, religious leaders, traditional institutions, civil society organisations and local communities.
As policymakers deliberate on the future of the system, the central question remains: how can Nigeria preserve its religious educational heritage while ensuring that every child has access to quality education, dignity and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to national development?
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
