‘9.5m Almajirai in northern Nigeria’

The Director of Centre for Democratic Development Research and Training, Dr. Abubakar Siddique Mohammed, yesterday said there are an estimated 9.5million almajirai in the northern states.

He said this while presenting a paper titled ‘Evolution of Almajirci in West Africa: Implications for addressing regional development concerns,’ at a one-day sensitization program organized by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs with support from Kaduna State government.

Mohammed who is also a lecturer with the department of Political Science at the Ahmadu Bello University however lamented that some Mallams have turned the Almajiri system of education into money making venture.

“Indeed they have become charlatans, in some countries it has virtually become a black market for child labor. Imagine having 10 children at your service. Each talibé is required to bring in 500 Fcfa ($1) per day, so at the end of the month, you have amassed 150,000 Fcfa ($300). In Senegal, this sum would allow you to live an easy life.”

Commenting on the security implication of exposing the children to harsh conditions; he mentioned risk of substance abuse, risk of developing deviant behavior by some of the almajirai who have been left at the social margins; stressing that the risks become greater in the absence of institutional response to the problem.

On his own part, the national president of Qur’anic Tutors and Learners Foundation, Alaramma Muh’d Badamasi said efforts to upgrade the almijiri schools and get the children off the streets may not succeed without involving the Qur’anic tutors.