Executive Secretary, National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education in Nigeria, Dr Mohammad Idris, said the country is experiencing a rise in the number of Almajiris because parents are neglecting their responsibilities.
In an interview with our correspondent, Idris emphasised that these children had become a growing nuisance to society.
The Almajiri system in northern Nigeria involves children from poor families studying the Quran under religious teachers, often living in religious schools with the expectation of food and shelter.
However, the system has faced criticism as many children end up on the streets, begging for survival due to lack of care and support. Some of these children have been exploited by groups like Boko Haram, leading to concerns about child welfare, education, and security in Nigeria.
Idris said, “Actually, the rise of the Almajiri phenomenon is due to some people having children and neglecting their responsibilities. They simply give birth and send their children to mallams without providing for their well-being. In Nigeria, those days of abandoning children to the streets must end. Enough is enough. We are tired of this chaos. Boko Haram has exploited these children, especially since many of the Almajiris are unaware of the true teachings of the Holy Quran. Boko Haram has taken advantage of this ignorance, giving them distorted interpretations that are contrary to the Quran’s real message. This manipulation gave them the audacity to take up arms against Nigeria and its people. This must stop.”
He added that if individuals chose to have children, they must also take responsibility for raising them.
He mentioned the ongoing efforts of sensitisation and advocacy, going door to door to gain support for government policies on ending indiscriminate childbearing.
Idris affirmed that government agencies would collaborate to ensure that those who fail to comply with policies face the consequences, as the government was committed to enforcing its decisions.
He added, “If you choose to have a child, you must also take responsibility for raising them. What we’re doing now is sensitisation and advocacy, going door to door to gain support.
“However, this is the government, and we cannot continue to reject government policies while producing children who cause societal problems. We must ensure that things are done right, and everyone must be held accountable. All government agencies will collaborate to ensure that when people fail to comply with policies, the full force of government action will be enforced.”