Almajiranci: A Challenge to Human Security in Northern Nigeria

The study is meant to examine Almajiranci and its challenges to human security in Northern Nigeria. Three objectives were set to be achieve through answering of three research questions. The study is purely qualitative using descriptive survey design with a sample size of 44 respondents. The targeted respondents are; parents of Almajirai, Almajirai and their teachers (mallams) as well as members of the public within the study area who have good awareness of Almajiranci. Convenient or purposeful sampling was used. Two local government areas were selected with 24 respondents each. Interview was used as the instrument for data collection and data analysis was done through transcription, coding and the use of themes and sub-themes for detail explanation of each research question. The findings of the study revealed that, there is no extension of Boko Haram in Almajiri Qur’anic Schools in Sokoto state, similarly, the Almajiris have vehemently reject any move for them to join Boko Haram activities but some are involved in area boyism in the state and others are involved in anti-social activities but yet some are exempted. Based on this study the causes of Almajiris involvement in anti-social activities are; Almajiris’ parents, lack of food and medical care provision for the Almajiris, getting contact with bad people, lack of good care and control from the mallam. Government and custodian (mallams) of Almajiri Qur’anic School should be vigilante and extra careful with visiting clerics who deliver lectures on religious ideology. Mallams should be mandated to take good care of all their Almajiris as good guardians of the children. Similarly, mallam should only admit Almajiris that they can take good care of their morality. To enforce these and put control in the system government should establish an agency for Almajiri Education in Sokoto state or a unit or department in Ministry for Arabic and Islamic Education

Problems and Prospects of Almajiri Integration Programme in North West Geo-Political Zone, Nigeria

The term Almajiri in Nigeria is used to describe those children or youths who left their hometowns in search for Islamic education. Unlike pre-colonial Nigeria, the Almajiri system of education flourished and recorded exceptional accomplishment in literacy and social services, but today the system is faced with a myriad of challenges with glaring abnormalities. The aim of this study was, therefore, to conduct an empirical inquiry into the problems and prospects of the integration programme in North West Geo-Political Zone, Nigeria. A total of 240 Almajiris/pupils and 60 mallams/teachers responded to questionnaires designed for the study, while 33 community leaders and school heads were interviewed. The study reveals that authorities are performing below expectations in the area of education, which hinders the achievements of quality education for Nigerian Almajiris. Shortage of qualified teachers in some schools and inadequate numbers of Almajiri integrated schools in North West Nigeria were also recorded. The researchers further discovered that the government is not consistent in its policies and programmes there were a lot of irregularities and corrupt practices in institutionalized education, including the Almajiri Integrated Programme. It is therefore, recommended that the government should be consistent in its policy and programmes for the betterment of its citizens. Authorities’ approach to quality education should be centred on the eradication of corrupt practices. Almajiri Integrated Programme should be handled as introduced by president Goodluck’s Administration