The Kano State Hisbah Board has evacuated at least 230 Almajiris from the streets of Kano metropolis since the exercise began in December 2024. This effort, initiated to address the growing number of street children in Kano, follows the state government’s earlier commitment to return the children to their states of origin.
However, the Hisbah Board’s Deputy Commander General, Dr. Mujahideen Abubakar, revealed a change in strategy. Speaking with The Punch during a telephone interview, he disclosed that the government has abandoned its repatriation plans. “We have decided now to keep them at the Hajj camp and give them proper education because we felt that it’s not proper to repatriate them to their respective states of origin,” Abubakar stated.
Kano Declares Itself a “Mother” to Almajiris
The decision to prioritize education over repatriation stems from a sense of responsibility, with Abubakar emphasizing that Kano views itself as a mother to the children. “As you know, Kano is a mother to all of them, hence the decision to discard the idea of repatriating them; we will now sponsor their education up to the tertiary level,” he explained.
The initiative aims to give these children, most of whom are teenagers with no one caring for them, a chance at a better future. According to Abubakar, the children were found living in dire conditions, sleeping under bridges, billboards, culverts, and in uncompleted buildings across the city. Many of them were not enrolled in any Quranic or Islamiyya school and had no source of livelihood.
Health and Data Collection for Long-Term Solutions
In addition to education, the Hisbah Board has taken steps to address the children’s immediate health needs. Those found with illnesses have already received treatment. The board also collected data on the children, revealing that they hail from states such as Kano, Katsina, Borno, and Jigawa.
While Kano’s decision to prioritize education over repatriation is commendable, it underscores a larger issue prevalent across Nigeria. The Almajiri crisis is not just a problem for children but a reflection of societal failure. As someone noted, “The problem with Almajiri is that it has become a job for them… brush them up, and some will still return.” Until the system is reformed and adults stop enabling this culture, the cycle will persist.
