First Lady seeks Saudi Arabia’s help to reform Almajiri education

Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has appealed to Saudi Arabia for a partnership to overhaul the education of Almajiri and other out-of-school children. She stressed that failing to provide formal education to these vulnerable groups poses a direct threat to the country's security.

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I work with women and vulnerable children in society. My heart goes out to the Almajiri children up North. I believe they need better care.

Tinubu made the appeal during a meeting with the Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria, Yousef Mohammed Al-Balawi, in Abuja. She proposed a collaboration that would combine traditional Islamic Arabic teachings with formal Western education, a model she believes is suitable for the Almajiri system, which is rooted in Quranic instruction but often disconnected from formal schooling and vocational pathways. The First Lady expressed concern that neglecting these children could have severe consequences for Nigeria's future security.

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Most of the insecurity challenges in the nation, if those particular group of children are not taken care of, I don’t know what might happen.

Ambassador Al-Balawi acknowledged the strong historical, religious, and cultural ties between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. He expressed optimism about strengthening economic cooperation and improving bilateral relations. He noted that both nations share common ambitions for economic growth. The Ambassador was accompanied by the Chief of Staff at the Saudi Embassy, Mohammed Bukar. The Almajiri system, prevalent in Northern Nigeria, involves children who often leave their homes to study the Quran under Islamic scholars, but many lack access to formal education or skills training.

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I believe we can still start to give them formal education. If we are able to do that, the future of Nigeria will be well secured.