Oluremi Tinubu: Regulating Almajiri system key to ending child exploitation

By Kunle Sanni

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has expressed confidence that the challenges posed by the Almajiri and out-of-school children crisis can be addressed effectively.

Speaking during a meeting with the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, Dr. Muhammad Sani Idris, and other executives, Senator Tinubu emphasized the need for proper regulation and monitoring to prevent exploitation.

“Yes, there is nothing wrong with seeking knowledge about God,” she said. “However, the entire process must be properly regulated to prevent abuse. Many people lack the fear of God, and these vulnerable children have been exploited for too long.”

The First Lady proposed that all Imams and Ulamas involved in the Almajiri system be registered and documented by the appropriate authorities, stressing that those who fail to meet the requirements should not be allowed to operate.

On education reforms, Senator Tinubu advocated for boarding schools that integrate both Islamic and formal education alongside skill acquisition. “We should take this one step at a time—establish one school, ensure it works, and then expand from there,” she advised.

During the visit, the First Lady also introduced her Flow-With-Confidence Initiative, a program under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) aimed at supporting girls in staying in school during their menstrual cycles.

Earlier, Dr. Idris highlighted the severity of the crisis, revealing that unverified statistics estimate Nigeria has 30 million Almajiri children and 18.5 million out-of-school children. “These numbers are disheartening,” he said.

He announced that a pilot school would soon be established in Kaduna State, where children will receive Quranic, Arabic, and English education, as well as vocational training under a curriculum developed by the Federal Ministry of Education.

Dr. Idris added that the commission aims to enroll eight million out-of-school children back into the education system within the next two years.

He commended President Bola Tinubu and the First Lady for their dedication to uplifting vulnerable Nigerians, assuring that the commission remains committed to its mandate.