Nigerian govt moves to revive abandoned almajiri schools built under Jonathan

The Federal Government has announced its plans to reclaim and rehabilitate the abandoned Almajiri schools built during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The schools, initially established to address the growing population of Almajiri and out-of-school children in Northern Nigeria, were handed over to the governors of the 19 Northern states but have since fallen into neglect.

Speaking at a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing event with the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA) in Yola, Adamawa State, on Wednesday, Idris Sani, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children, outlined the government’s commitment to restoring the schools to their original purpose.

“I have directed my Chief of Staff to finalize arrangements for the takeover of 157 Almajiri schools across the country. These schools, built by former President Goodluck Jonathan, have been abandoned by successive administrations,” Sani said.

“We have also requested Federal Government assistance to rehabilitate these schools and commence normal academic activities as part of our mission to address the Almajiri and out-of-school children crisis in the country.”

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Sani further disclosed that the commission is collaborating with the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies to deploy personnel to the schools once rehabilitated, leveraging their expertise to jumpstart educational activities.

The neglect of these schools is emblematic of Nigeria’s broader education challenges, especially in addressing the staggering number of out-of-school children, estimated to be the highest in the world.

Stakeholders have long criticized the lack of continuity in government initiatives, with abandoned projects like the Almajiri schools reflecting systemic inefficiencies and a lack of accountability.

Speaking on behalf of CSACEFA, National Coordinator and Policy Advisor Odinaka Chimbama expressed the coalition’s unwavering support for the government’s renewed commitment.

However, she emphasized the need for increased funding for the education sector and greater transparency in the use of allocated funds.

“Any nation that wants to develop must invest in education. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, even the little budgeted to the sector is neither properly accounted for nor effectively utilized,” Chimbama lamented.

She called on the federal and state governments to align with UNESCO’s recommendation of allocating 15-20% of their annual budgets to education, highlighting the importance of accountability in achieving meaningful change.

“Our role as civil society is to support government programs, build the capacities of our members to hold the government accountable, and ensure that education policies are not just formulated but implemented effectively,” Chimbama stated.

The revival of the Almajiri schools marks a critical step in addressing the educational crisis in Nigeria’s Northern region, where socio-economic and cultural factors have historically fueled high dropout rates.

If successfully implemented, this initiative could help integrate thousands of children into the formal education system and provide them with the tools to secure a brighter future.

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