Controversial Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has called for the introduction of a “Marshall Plan” to gradually phase out the Almajiri system in Northern Nigeria.
Gumi said the region has the capacity to lead Nigeria’s education sector within the next 15 years if deliberate policies are implemented to reform the system.
He based his argument on the presence of an estimated 150 public and private universities across Northern Nigeria, which he said provide a strong foundation for educational transformation.
In a post on X, the cleric argued that the Almajiri system should be replaced with a structured curriculum that combines moral instruction with modern education.
“What should be done is to implement a ‘Marshall Plan’ to phase out the Almajiri system, combining a curriculum that blends moral education with modernity,” Gumi said.
He stressed that sustained peace and stability are critical to the success of such an initiative, noting that insecurity continues to undermine educational development in the region.
According to him, Northern Nigeria has the institutional capacity to drive meaningful progress in education if the right reforms are pursued consistently.
The Almajiri system, which involves children studying under informal Islamic teachers while often resorting to street begging, has long been a subject of debate among policymakers and social advocates.