- He criticised parents who abandon their children to religious teachers, or mallams, without ensuring their welfare
Nigeria is witnessing a surge in the number of Almajiri children due to parental neglect, according to Dr Mohammad Idris, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education.
Dr Idris, speaking in an interview, described the situation as a growing societal problem.
He criticised parents who abandon their children to religious teachers, or mallams, without ensuring their welfare.
The Almajiri system, prevalent in northern Nigeria, traditionally involves children from underprivileged families studying the Quran in religious schools. However, many of these children are forced to beg for survival, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation by extremist groups such as Boko Haram.
“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,” said Dr Idris. “Boko Haram has exploited these children, giving them distorted interpretations of the Quran, which has emboldened them to take up arms against Nigeria and its people. This must stop.”
Dr Idris emphasised the need for collective action to address the issue, adding that irresponsible childbearing was fueling societal problems. He highlighted ongoing government efforts to sensitise communities and advocate for better child welfare practices.
“We are conducting door-to-door advocacy to support government policies on ending indiscriminate childbearing,” he said. “If you choose to have a child, you must also take responsibility for raising them. The days of abandoning children to the streets must end. Enough is enough.”
Dr Idris warned that government agencies would enforce policies to hold parents accountable, ensuring compliance with measures aimed at curbing the growing crisis.
“All government agencies will collaborate to ensure that when people fail to comply with policies, the full force of government action will be enforced,” he added.
The Almajiri crisis has long been a point of concern in Nigeria, sparking debates about child welfare, education, and national security.