The ongoing debate over the Almajiri education system in northern Nigeria has escalated following critical remarks by human rights advocate Chidi Odinkalu. His response comes after Bashir Ahmad, a former presidential aide, defended the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Saidu, who had argued that Almajiri children should not be classified as out-of-school children, framing the system as a form of Islamic education.
In his support of the Minister, Ahmad advocated for integrating the Almajiri schools into the national education framework, suggesting that official recognition and adequate support could help reduce the number of out-of-school children in northern Nigeria. Ahmad posited that reforms, including better infrastructure and resources akin to those provided to boarding schools, could transform the Almajiri model into a viable educational system.
However, Odinkalu has strongly criticized this stance, describing it as both selfish and dishonest. In a scathing response shared on his X handle, he challenged the portrayal of Almajiri as an Islamic education system, asking proponents to substantiate their claims with religious backing. “#Almajiri isn’t a system of Islamic education. Please cite a Hadith in support of your claim. How many Almajiri does Saudi Arabia have? UAE?” he queried.
Odinkalu also accused northern elites of hypocrisy, noting that many who defend the Almajiri system choose not to enroll their own children in such schools, instead sending them to private institutions or abroad for education. He called for an end to what he termed “nonsense,” asserting that the system, in its current form, perpetuates cycles of poverty and inequality.
The Almajiri system has long been a polarizing issue in Nigeria. Critics argue that it fosters social ills such as child exploitation and street begging, as many Almajiri students are left without adequate welfare and support. Despite these concerns, its proponents emphasize its cultural and religious significance, suggesting that with reforms, the system could address educational disparities in the region.
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Odinkalu’s remarks have reignited conversations around the responsibility of policymakers and northern elites in addressing these systemic challenges. While the debate continues, it underscores the pressing need for tangible reforms to ensure that every child in northern Nigeria has access to quality and inclusive education.
