The Federal Government has intensified advocacy for the educational rights and welfare of Almajiri and out-of-school children, with prominent Islamic scholars and other stakeholders in Kano State pledging support for efforts to strengthen Qur’anic education and improve implementation of relevant policies.
The advocacy team, led by the Special Adviser to the Minister of Education on Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education, Dr. Balarabe Shehu Kakale, visited Qur’anic schools and prominent Islamic scholars in Kano on Sunday, 30 August 2026. The engagement was conducted in collaboration with the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education (NCAOOSCE), under the leadership of its Executive Secretary, Dr. Muhammad Sani Idris, as part of the Federal Government’s ongoing sensitisation campaign.
At Madarasatu Madinatul Ahbab Wattalameez in Fagge, the delegation was informed that the institution has more than 300 branches within and outside Nigeria and produces hundreds of Qur’anic memorizers annually. The school said its students do not engage in street begging, with parents responsible for their welfare. The team also visited Mallam Umaru Jinjiri Tsangaya in Adakawa, where the proprietor highlighted the contributions of the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Dr. Ado Bayero, and Mallam Aminu Kano to Almajiri education.
The delegation also met Professor Sheikh Bashir Alfurqaan, Kano State Hisbah Commander Dr. Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, and renowned Qur’anic scholar Gwani Yusuf Sheikh Khalifa Ishaqa Rabi’u. Dr. Kakale presented the Federal Government’s policies and legal frameworks, including the Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education Act, Section 15 of the UBEC Act 2004, and the National Policy on the Enhancement of Almajiri Education, alongside policies on TVET, alternative learning pathways, non-state schools, education data and teacher development.
Dr. Kakale stressed that state governments must domesticate and implement the frameworks according to their peculiar circumstances. He particularly appealed to Kano State to upgrade its Qur’anic and Islamic Studies Board into a State Almajiri Commission, with sustainable funding mechanisms.
Professor Bashir Aliyu welcomed the initiative, describing it as a long-term effort to improve Almajiri education. He stressed that Almajiri should not be equated with being out of school, and called on parents, Alarammas, religious leaders, traditional rulers and communities to support the reform. He also urged state governments to domesticate the relevant policies.
At the Darus Sunna Foundation in Darmanawa, Sheikh Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa commended the advocacy and emphasised that implementation must follow legislation. He disclosed that a committee on the enhancement of Almajiri education was expected to be inaugurated by the Kano State Government and pledged to convey the Federal Government’s message to it. He also called for the rehabilitation of deteriorating Almajiri schools and greater emphasis on skills acquisition.
At the residence of the late Khadimul Qur’an, Khalifa Sheikh Ishaqa Rabi’u, Dr. Kakale appealed to Qur’anic scholars and stakeholders to support the domestication of the relevant laws and ensure that funds allocated for Almajiri education reach their intended beneficiaries. Dr. Imam Gwani Yusuf Ishaq Rabi’u welcomed the initiative, expressed concern over the future of Almajiri children and pledged to convey the message to relevant stakeholders, including the leadership of BUA Group.
The advocacy visits also provided an opportunity to identify and register additional Tsangaya schools, while strengthening collaboration between government and religious institutions. Stakeholders emphasised the need to protect Almajiri children from street begging while expanding access to education and skills development.