Governor Sule: North Must Take Action on Almajiri System Challenges

Governor Sule: North Must Take Action on Almajiri System Challenges

By Fly Cable News

Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, who also chairs the North Central Governors’ Forum, has called for urgent action to tackle the longstanding issues surrounding the almajiri system in Northern Nigeria.

Speaking at the inaugural regional conference on population dynamics, security, climate change, out-of-school children, and vulnerable children in Lafia on Tuesday, Governor Sule emphasized that the region must take responsibility for resolving the almajiri crisis.

“The almajiri problem is a serious issue for us. It’s time we stop complaining and take proactive steps to solve it ourselves,” he said, warning that failure to address the crisis could lead to widespread social unrest, which he described as a “time bomb” potentially more devastating than the recent EndSARS protests.

Governor Sule attributed the persistence of the almajiri system to systemic failures and the neglect of parental duties. He stressed the importance of educating communities about Islamic teachings, particularly the principle that it is a sin to have more children or spouses than one can support.

He also called on Northern leaders to seek homegrown solutions instead of relying on external aid. “Why should Northern Nigeria continue to hold the entire nation at ransom when this is our problem to solve?” he asked.

As part of the efforts to address the crisis, Governor Sule announced plans to establish three special schools in Lafia, Akwanga, and Keffi to rehabilitate almajiris. He also urged local government officials to focus on agricultural development to ensure food security in the state.

The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, praised the conference as an important step toward addressing the socio-economic challenges in the North Central zone, emphasizing the need for solutions based on evidence and data.

Dr. Mohammed Sani Idris, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children, revealed concerning statistics, noting that Nigeria has over 18.3 million out-of-school children—second only to Pakistan—and more than 30 million almajiris on the streets.

To address the problem, the commission has launched a program in Kaduna to integrate 350 almajiris into formal education and skills training, with plans to send some beneficiaries to Islamic universities in Medina, Niger, and Malaysia.

Governor Sule reiterated the urgency of resolving the almajiri crisis, stressing that no external entity will solve the problem for Nigeria.

“We must wake up and solve this ourselves,” he concluded, while commending efforts to provide education and vocational opportunities for almajiris.

The conference brought together key stakeholders, including governors, religious leaders, academics, and development partners, to discuss and address the complex challenges facing the region and the country.