Reimagining the Almajiri Education

Once a revered institution for Islamic learning, the Almajiri system in Northern Nigeria has, over time, morphed into a social crisis that now mirrors the failures of governance, parental responsibility, and community support.
Derived from the Arabic word Al-Muhajir—meaning a seeker of knowledge—the Almajiri tradition once stood as a symbol of spiritual devotion, self-discipline, and Quranic scholarship. Young boys, mostly between the ages of 5 and 15, left their homes to study under respected Islamic scholars in Tsangaya schools. But today, that noble system lies in tatters.
Instead of books, many Almajirai now carry begging bowls. Rather than classrooms, they roam motor parks and street corners. This shift didn’t happen overnight. It’s the product of decades of state neglect, poverty, unchecked population growth, and a gross misinterpretation of religious values.
While the government under former President Goodluck Jonathan attempted a turnaround with the establishment of Almajiri Integrated Model Schools, those efforts have largely been abandoned or poorly managed. The result? Over 10 million out-of-school children in Nigeria—many of them Almajirai—remain stuck in a cycle of illiteracy, hunger, and hopelessness.
Rabi’at Uthman, an advocate for educational reform in the North, recently raised fresh concerns over the growing trend of parents “offloading” their responsibilities under the guise of religion. She recounts how a commercial driver was casually handed a boy by his father to “drop off at any Islamic school” in Kano, without a thought for the boy’s welfare or future.
“This is not Islam,” she insists. “This is negligence hiding behind faith.”
To restore dignity and purpose to the Almajiri system, experts say reforms must be both bold and holistic. That includes merging Islamic and Western education, ensuring safe shelters, feeding programmes, and teacher training. More importantly, Almajiri schools should offer vocational skills so that pupils can contribute productively to society.
State governments must also enforce policies on parental responsibility. It is not enough to lament; families must be educated on birth control, child welfare, and the right to education.
What’s at stake is more than just the future of these children. If properly reformed, the Almajiri system can produce scholars, engineers, and leaders—not street beggars. Nigeria owes it to itself to turn this around—not just for dignity’s sake, but for its survival.