Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, who also serves as Chairman of the North Central Governors' Forum, has called on Northern leaders to take proactive measures in addressing the lingering challenges of the almajiri system.
Speaking at the inaugural regional conference on population dynamics, security, climate change, out-of-school children, and vulnerable groups, held in Lafia on Tuesday, Governor Sule stressed the urgency of resolving the issue internally.
The event was organized by the National Population Commission in collaboration with the Nasarawa State Government.
"Time to Take Responsibility"
Governor Sule declared that the North could no longer afford to rely on external intervention to solve the almajiri problem. He warned that the neglect of this system could lead to dire consequences, likening it to a ticking time bomb.
“The almajiri problem is a significant challenge for us. As I told my colleagues during our last Northern Governors' meeting in Kaduna, we must stop complaining and take the bull by the horns. We cannot expect others to solve this for us; we must take responsibility,” he stated.
Addressing the Root Causes
Governor Sule pointed out that previous attempts to tackle the almajiri issue had failed because they ignored its root causes. He emphasized that parents must take responsibility for their children instead of abandoning them to beg under the guise of Islamic education.
“It is a sin in Islam to produce children you cannot care for or to marry wives you cannot provide for. Until we address this mindset, the problem will persist,” he asserted.
Drawing comparisons, he noted that Islamic nations like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have managed their out-of-school children differently and urged the North to follow suit.
Strategic Solutions
Governor Sule announced plans to establish three special schools in Lafia, Akwanga, and Keffi to rehabilitate almajiri children. However, he urged Northern leaders to stop the continuous production of more almajiri into society.
He commended the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children for its efforts to integrate almajiri into formal education, including facilitating their enrollment in Islamic universities abroad. Nonetheless, he noted these measures alone were insufficient to address the systemic issue.
Boosting Food Security through Agriculture
The Governor also encouraged local government chairmen in Nasarawa State to prioritize agriculture as a strategy for economic empowerment. He urged them to utilize available tractors to cultivate 500 hectares of land each, citing his administration’s success in cultivating 2,000 hectares of farmland.
Conference Outcomes
The Chairman of the National Population Commission, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, highlighted the importance of the conference in addressing critical socioeconomic and environmental challenges. He noted the participation of governors, traditional leaders, development partners, and experts, who collectively sought actionable solutions to the region’s pressing issues.
Dr. Mohammed Sani Idris, Executive Secretary of the National Commission of Almajiri and Out-of-School Children, revealed that Nigeria has over 18.3 million out-of-school children, the highest in Africa. He attributed the almajiri problem to misinterpretations of Islamic teachings and outlined new initiatives, including skill acquisition and linguistic training, to address the crisis.
A Call to Action
Governor Sule concluded by urging Northern leaders to awaken to the urgency of the almajiri problem and commit to sustainable solutions. He stressed that no external body would resolve the issue for the region, reiterating the importance of taking ownership of the challenge.
