Northern Parents Are Abandoning Their Kids in the Name of Almajiri – Nuruddeen Kama

Northern Nigeria is the only place in the world where the Almajiri system is still practiced. Every corner of the region shows children sent away from their families to live on the streets under this system.

How can a father take his 7-year-old child from Jigawa State and dump him in Yola, Adamawa State, for Almajiri, when there are enough Islamic schools and teachers in his own state?

This is not true Almajiri practice. A father is supposed to take care of his children—feed them, clothe them, educate them, and protect them. A child without love and care at home struggles to grow up loving or respecting others, even their own parents.

We have a choice today: either ban the Almajiri system completely or continue pretending this practice is acceptable. Our children’s future is at stake.