Remi Tinubu seeks Western education for Almajiri children

Nigeria's First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has called for increased support to ensure Almajiri and other out-of-school children receive formal education. Speaking in Abuja while receiving the new Saudi Arabian Ambassador, Yousef bin Mohammed Albalawi, Tinubu emphasized the need to combine Arabic instruction with Western education.

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

Tinubu stated that formal education would significantly improve the children's standard of living and contribute to securing Nigeria's future. She proposed a strategic partnership between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia to reform the Almajiri education system by integrating Islamic teachings with formal Western curricula. This collaboration, she believes, will address the challenges faced by these vulnerable children.

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This is because most of the insecurity challenges in the nation, if that particular group of children are not taken care of, I don’t know what might happen.

The First Lady expressed concern that the lack of care and education for Almajiri children could exacerbate the nation's insecurity challenges. "If we are able to do that, the future of Nigeria will be well secured," Tinubu asserted, highlighting the critical link between education and national stability.

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

Ambassador Albalawi, who has been in Nigeria for five months, expressed satisfaction with the warm reception and confidence in strengthening bilateral relations. He noted the historical and cultural ties between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, emphasizing their shared ambitions for economic improvement and a desire to enhance cooperation.

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As you are aware, our countries have a strong relationship; we both share a historical relationship, our nations share a lot of things- religion, culture and potential to improve our relationship to get back in shape.