The “Almajiri problem” in Northern Nigeria is not simply about street begging; it is about poverty, weak education systems, child protection gaps, and the collapse of traditional community support structures. So the solution must be comprehensive, realistic, and culturally sensitive.
Here’s a practical, multi-layered solution: Integrate Qur’anic Schools into Formal Education. Rather than abolishing the Almajiri system, the government should integrate it. register all Qur’anic schools, introduce basic subjects: English, Mathematics, Civic Education, Basic Science, stipends or salaries to Mallams who comply with standards, and monitor child welfare and living conditions. This preserves religious education while giving children life skills.
Secondly, Make Education Truly Free and compulsory. Many parents send their children away because they cannot afford to feed or educate them. Expand free basic education, provide school feeding programs in northern states, and offer conditional cash transfers to poor families who keep children at home and in school. When families are economically stable, child migration reduces.
Third, regulate and License Mallams. Not all Mallams exploit children, but a lack of oversight allows abuse. Create a licensing system, set minimum welfare standards, Penalize forced street begging, provide training in child psychology and basic pedagogy, and this protects children without demonizing religious teachers.
Fourth, establish Boarding Model Schools: The government can develop well-managed Islamic boarding schools that combine Qur’anic memorization, Western education, and Vocational skills (carpentry, tailoring, ICT, agriculture), thereby giving children employable skills beyond religious study.
Address Poverty and Unemployment. The Almajiri issue is deeply tied to economic hardship. Invest in northern agriculture and small industry, and expand youth employment schemes.
Finally, Community and Religious Reform, Traditional rulers, Islamic scholars, and imams must lead reform, Public campaigns against child street begging, and encourage modernized Qur’anic education. Change will be more effective when it comes from within the community.
