In the streets of Lafia, Keffi, and Karu, a silent crisis is unfolding—one that threatens the social fabric of Nasarawa State and, by extension, the stability of Northern Nigeria. The Almajiri system, once a revered tradition of Islamic education where young boys are entrusted to scholars for religious instruction, has devolved into a breeding ground for poverty, exploitation, and social disorder. Recent reports highlight a alarming surge in the number of these out-of-school children roaming urban centers, begging for survival while exposed to dangers like drug abuse, theft, and sexual harassment.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa has himself raised the red flag, warning that the growing population of Almajiri is a ticking time bomb that Northern leaders must defuse before it explodes into widespread insecurity. The EYEWITNESS argues that mere rhetoric is insufficient; the government must take bold, immediate steps to reform the system, integrate these children into society, and address the root causes of this humanitarian debacle.
The scale of the problem in Nasarawa is staggering. Unofficial estimates from the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children peg the nationwide figure at over 30 million, with a significant concentration in states like Nasarawa due to its proximity to the Federal Capital Territory and migration from neighboring regions. In Lafia, the state capital, clusters of young boys, often as young as five, can be seen scavenging for food amid traffic, their tattered clothes a stark symbol of neglect. Keffi and Karu, with their growing urban populations, have become magnets for these children, many dispatched from rural homes in states like Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, Katsina or even as far as Niger Republic, under the guise of seeking Qur’anic knowledge. But the reality is far grimmer: these boys spend more time begging than studying, perpetuating a cycle of illiteracy and vulnerability that fuels antisocial behaviors. The influx has strained local resources, leading to increased petty crimes, vandalism, and even recruitment into extremist groups, as idle hands become tools for mischief.At the heart of this crisis lies a confluence of factors that demand unflinching scrutiny. Poverty in rural Northern communities drives parents to offload their children to urban scholars, often without regard for their welfare—a practice rooted in cultural norms but exacerbated by economic hardship and irresponsible family planning. State-sponsored mass weddings, while well-intentioned, inadvertently swell populations without corresponding support for education or livelihoods, resulting in more children thrust into the Almajiri net. Climate change and insecurity further displace families, pushing more boys southward to Nasarawa’s towns. Meanwhile, the traditional Almajiri framework, lacking integration with modern education, leaves these children ill-equipped for productive lives. As observers note, this is not a religious issue but a failure of governance and parental responsibility, where villages lack basic schools and communities prioritize quantity over quality in child-rearing.
The social ramifications are profound and cannot be ignored. An uneducated, street-hardened generation risks becoming a reservoir for crime and radicalization, undermining Nasarawa’s development aspirations. In Lafia and Keffi, local businesses report rising thefts linked to desperate Almajiri, while health experts warn of epidemics from poor sanitation in their makeshift settlements. Karu, bordering Abuja, amplifies the problem by serving as a transit hub, where these children face exploitation, including trafficking and abuse. If unchecked, this could erode public trust in institutions and spark inter-communal tensions, as seen in past repatriations during crises like COVID-19.
Encouragingly, Governor Sule has acknowledged the urgency, announcing plans for three special schools in Lafia, Akwanga, and Keffi to rehabilitate and educate Almajiri children. His call at the recent regional conference on population dynamics underscores the need for collective Northern action. Yet, these steps, while commendable, must evolve into a comprehensive strategy. The government should enforce birth control measures through awareness campaigns, penalize negligent parents, and reform the Almajiri system by mandating its fusion with STEM education and vocational training.
Investments in rural infrastructure, schools, farms, and healthcare, could stem the urban migration tide. Collaboration with federal bodies, NGOs, and community leaders is essential, drawing from successful models in states like Kaduna and Jigawa that have enrolled thousands through modernized Tsangaya systems.
Nasarawa cannot afford complacency. The Almajiri crisis is not just a Northern problem; it’s a national security imperative. If the government fails to act decisively now, through policy reforms, funding, and enforcement, the streets of Lafia, Keffi, and Karu will overflow with despair, breeding a lost generation that could destabilize the region. The time for half-measures is over; bold intervention is the only path to reclaiming these children’s futures and safeguarding society’s peace.
