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.