First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has raised the alarm over Nigeria’s growing Almajiri crisis, warning that millions of out-of-school children could become a major security threat if urgent action is not taken.
Speaking on Thursday while receiving Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Yousef Mohammed Al-Balawi, at the State House in Abuja, Mrs Tinubu appealed to the Kingdom to partner with Nigeria in overhauling the Almajiri education system.
She proposed a new model that would blend Islamic Arabic education with formal Western schooling, saying it would preserve the children’s religious identity while equipping them with the education and skills needed for a better future.
“My heart goes out to the Almajiri children up North. I believe they need better care,” the First Lady said.
She warned that neglecting the children could worsen the country’s insecurity.
“Most of the insecurity challenges in the nation, if those particular group of children are not taken care of, I don’t know what might happen.
“I believe we can still start to give them formal education. If we are able to do that, the future of Nigeria will be well secured,” she said.
Mrs Tinubu said Saudi Arabia was the right partner for the initiative because of its long-standing religious, cultural and diplomatic ties with Nigeria.
Responding, Ambassador Al-Balawi praised the strong relationship between both countries and pledged support for deeper cooperation.
“Our countries have a strong relationship. Our nations share religion, culture and common ambitions to improve our economies,” he said.
The envoy added that his engagements with top Nigerian government officials would further strengthen ties between the two nations.
The ambassador was accompanied to the meeting by the Chief of Staff at the Saudi Embassy, Mohammed Bukar.
The Almajiri system, which has existed for centuries in Northern Nigeria, was originally designed to provide Islamic education under the care of mallams and supported by host communities.
But over the years, that support system collapsed, leaving millions of children roaming the streets, begging for survival and cut off from formal education and healthcare.
With an estimated eight to 13 million Almajiri children across the country, security experts have repeatedly warned that the growing population of uneducated and vulnerable youths could be exploited by Boko Haram, bandit gangs and other armed criminal groups.
Read Also:
‘I DON’T BEG!’ Remi Tinubu Reveals God’s Order
Police Raise Security Alert as New CP Takes Over Osun Election
