POVERTY-RELATED EXPERIENCE OF ALMAJIRAI IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Almajiri system is as old as Islam in Northern Nigeria; it is an Islamic practice that encourages Muslims to go in search of Islamic knowledge which according to Prophet Muhammed, is a cherished value that no society is expected to trivialise. Poverty is one of the major social problems in Nigeria. This paper examined poverty-related experience of almajirai. Specifically, it examined: changes in almajiri system in colonial and post-colonial Nigeria, causes of poverty of almajirai, and effects of poverty on almajirai in Northern Nigeria. The paper found that almajiri in the pre-colonial era was adequately taken care of by various stakeholders; there was little or no poverty. A combination of parental neglect and polygamy were discovered as the major causes of poverty of almajirai while street-begging and juvenile delinquency were found to be major effects of poverty on almajirai. The paper recommended public enlightenment on the danger of parental neglect and polygamy as a way forword.