Why Almajiris problem persists in the North —Study

Recently, the Governor of Kano state, Alhaji Umar Ganduje, in a public function in Kaduna, disclosed that there were about 3 million almajiris in his state. Indeed, this staggering figure, poses a serious threat to the state and by extension the Northern region. The governor confessed at the event that the almajiri phenomenon is one of the serious problems facing the region. Ganduje explained further that at the inception of his administration, a survey was carried out and it was discovered that some of the almajiris came from the neighbouring countries of Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic. He was of the view that it had become imperative for the various state governments in the region to come together to form a common ground in order to introduce a common legislation to tackle the menace. According to governor Ganduje, preventing the movement of school age children from one place to another would make it easier for the governors to address the problem of almajiri debacle. However, the Nigerian Tribune findings revealed that honest as Ganduje declaration was, religious factor appears to be the major clog in the wheel of progress towards ending the menace of almajiri debacle in the region. Findings revealed that for almost three decades, there has been concerted efforts by past administrations to address the issue but to no avail. The most recent attempt by any government was the immediate past administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan when he gave approval for the establishment of nine almajiri schools across the six geo-political zones. According to an Islamic scholar in Sokoto, Mallam Jaafar Bodinga, the idea of these almajiri schools was to integrate the teaching of Islamic studies with the western type of education. He said an almajiri pupil would have the opportunity to acquire both Islamic and western education. But findings by the Nigerian Tribune revealed that even with the intervention by the Jonathan administration, nothing much has been achieved. It was gathered that the nine almajiri schools were yet to fully commence operations.

Bodinga told Nigerian Tribune that it would be difficult to tackle this syndrome because of the religious sentiments attached to it. He said this was because while some Islamic sects like Qadiriya and Tijjaniya propagate and support the almajiri practice, others like the Izala are vehemently against it. Apart from that, it was also learnt that the Qadiriya and Tijjaniya sects have the backing of some traditional rulers as well as top government officials and top ranking security chiefs, thus, making it extremely difficult to effect any policy against the almajiri phenomenon.

Speaking in the same vein, a scholar and a proprietor of an almajiri school, Alhaji Kawu Maitaya, revealed that apart from impacting knowledge to these almajiris, some traditional rulers and some top government officials go to the Mallams for spiritual guidance and assistance. According to Maitaya,’ we engaged some of these almajiris in some of the work we do like writing some Koranic verses for our clients. He added, ‘This is what I do for a living.

Another, cleric who simply gave his name as Mallam Abbas and lives in Rigasa a surburb of Kaduna metropolis remarked that, “it is the pride of every Mallam to have many almajiris as he can, saying, it gives one the respect and recognition one deserves in the society.” . He told Nigerian Tribune that he had about 100 almajiris under his care, saying,’ apart from teaching them Koran, I don’t have any other thing. He told Nigerian Tribune, he collects N50 from every almajiri every Thursday to cater for his family.

Nonetheless, Nigerian Tribune gathered that, the Izala movement, founded by the late Islamic scholar, Sheikh Abubakar Gumi (which has a large followership in the region), is vehemently against almajiri syndrome. Buttressing the view of the Izala, the deputy chief Imam of Sheikh Jaafar Adam mosque, Unguwar Dalhatu Gusau, Alhaji Kabir Muhammad, remarked that while the sect encourages the establishment of Islamic schools, it does not have almajiris. According to him, “our students come and receive lessons and go back to their respective homes. We also introduced school fees that we used in running the affairs of the school. So, we have not seen where in the Koran or the Sunna of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) where almajiri is mentioned,” he concluded.