2027: Abbo Unveils Plan to Integrate Almajiri Education into Adamawa’s Formal School System

By Umar Zubainatu Kambari

The Labour Party governorship candidate for the 2027 Adamawa State election, Senator Ishaku Abbo, has unveiled a comprehensive education blueprint aimed at integrating the Almajiri system into the state’s formal education framework while preserving Islamic education and traditions.

The proposal, unveiled as the second part of his education agenda, outlines what he described as the Almajiri Integration and Islamic Education Partnership Programme (AIEPP), a plan designed to provide Almajiri children with access to modern education, healthcare, welfare support, and vocational skills without undermining the Tsangaya system.

According to Abbo, his administration would address the Almajiri issue through collaboration with Islamic scholars, Qur’anic teachers, parents, traditional rulers, and community leaders rather than through enforcement measures.

He maintained that the Almajiri system remains an important part of the state’s religious and cultural heritage, stressing that it should be strengthened rather than abolished.

Under the proposed programme, Almajiri children would continue receiving instruction in the Arabic language, Qur’anic studies, and Islamic Religious Education while also being taught English Language, Mathematics, Science, Digital Literacy, Civic and Moral Education, Health and Hygiene Education, Hausa and other relevant local languages, as well as technical, vocational, and life skills.

Abbo said the integrated curriculum is intended to equip children with both religious knowledge and practical skills needed to compete in today’s economy.

The Labour Party candidate also pledged extensive welfare support for participating pupils, including free school uniforms, textbooks, and learning materials; the phased distribution of laptops or tablets; three meals daily; access to healthcare services; counselling; sports facilities; libraries; and digital learning resources.

As part of the proposal, Abbo promised to improve the welfare and professional development of Mallams, whom he described as custodians of Islamic scholarship.

He said qualified Mallams would receive monthly salaries and allowances, professional teacher training, certification in Islamic Religious Education, modern teaching materials, continuous professional development opportunities, and scholarships for further studies within Nigeria and abroad.

The blueprint also proposes housing and transportation loan schemes for eligible Mallams. Those who meet prescribed standards would be integrated into the formal education system to teach Arabic Language, Qur’anic Studies, and Islamic Religious Education alongside professionally trained teachers handling conventional subjects.

To improve learning conditions, Abbo pledged to reconstruct and modernise participating Tsangaya schools across Adamawa State’s 21 local government areas.

According to the proposal, the upgraded schools would feature modern classrooms, student hostels, residential accommodation for Mallams, libraries, digital learning centres, computer laboratories, vocational workshops, healthcare facilities, clean water supply, sanitation systems, solar power, and sports facilities.

Abbo said the initiative would also tackle street begging among Almajiri children by ensuring that every participating child either attends a nearby public school under the integrated education programme or enrols in designated Integrated Tsangaya Schools where Islamic and conventional education are taught simultaneously.

He argued that with free education, regular feeding, healthcare support, and improved welfare for both pupils and Mallams, there would be no justification for exposing children to street begging, child labour, or exploitation.

The former senator said the programme seeks to produce graduates with strong Qur’anic knowledge, Arabic language proficiency, modern education, vocational competence, digital literacy, entrepreneurial skills, and sound moral values.

According to him, graduates of the programme would be adequately prepared to pursue higher education, establish businesses, secure skilled employment, or continue as respected Islamic scholars.

Abbo further pledged to implement the initiative in phases across communities with Tsangaya schools, register participating institutions, train and employ qualified Mallams, modernise learning facilities, provide school feeding and healthcare services, and establish a monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure accountability and measurable outcomes.

He said the overall objective of the programme is to ensure that every Almajiri child in Adamawa receives both quality Islamic and modern education while preserving the state’s religious heritage and preparing young people for future opportunities.