Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has called on the National Assembly to enact legislation banning the Almajiri system across Nigeria, arguing that the practice has contributed to the growing number of out-of-school children and worsening insecurity in the northern region.
Govenor Sule made the call in Abuja during a Summit on Enhancing Human Capital Development in Northern Nigeria.
Speaking on the issue, Sule said many youths who become involved in criminal activities and terrorism are products of the Almajiri system, stressing the need for urgent reforms to safeguard the future of children.
He proposed replacing the traditional system with compulsory formal education alongside vocational and skills acquisition programmes to equip children with the knowledge and practical skills needed to become self-reliant and productive members of society.
Governor Sule le maintained that reforming the nation’s education system is essential to addressing the root causes of insecurity and ensuring sustainable development, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
Nigeria faces an immense education emergency, with an estimated 18.3 million out-:of- school children.
The Almajiri system in Northern Nigeria is the single largest structural contributor to this problem.
However, recent data reveals that Almajiri children makes roughly 72% to 81% of Nigeria’s total out-of-school population, concentrated largely on Northern parts of the country.
Governor Sule also recalled the 2020 mass repatriation of Almajiri children by Nasarawa and Kaduna States and notes that enforcement requires alternative solutions.
The Governor is urging Northern leaders to turn summit discussions into actionable draft Bills. He believes policy changes are the only way to defeat regional poverty.
-9News Nigeria.
