Almajiri system of education and the emergence of religious extremists in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper describes Almajiri system of education and the emergence of religious extremists in Nigeria. Almajiri system of education being a traditional and non-formal system of education which derived its curriculum from the Holy Qu’ran and subjects its learners or pupils to roam about the streets begging for alms, food, and render menial labour to the teachers known as Mallams as a means of survival, is found majorly in the northern parts of Nigeria which later spread to other parts of the country and the world with devastating effects to the country’s security apparatus as well as our cooperate existence as one indivisible entity. Consequently, these innocent children with little or no parental backgrounds are left to their fate constituting child labour, child abuse, child neglect, street hawking and other social vices while others join bad groups in carrying out crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, suicide bombings etc. This negates the contribution of education to nation building. The conceptual clarifications, historical perspectives, some factors affecting Almajiri system of education as well as suggestions and recommendations were extensively outlined.