The Nation Newspaper

Category: Letters

NNPCL: A necessary reset to rescue Nigeria’s oil industry
SIR: The recent overhaul of the NNPC Limited board and management by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not merely an administrative reshuffle—it is a decisive intervention in the national interest, aimed at rescuing the country’s most strategic public enterprise from systemic rot and institutional capture. The necessity of these appointments stems from the deeply troubling legacy of the Mele Kyari-led management, under which NNPC degenerated into a citadel of opacity, financial malpractice, and operational inefficiency, despite the transformative intent of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

Under Kyari’s leadership, NNPC Limited failed to meet even the most basic standards of corporate governance and transparency expected of a commercially oriented national oil company. Year after year, billions of dollars in crude oil revenues were unremitted, underreported or misapplied under various opaque arrangements. The so-called fuel subsidy regime, for which NNPC served as the primary disbursing agency, became a fiscal sinkhole—characterized by gross overstatements, non-existent verification mechanisms, and allegations of fictitious volumes and round-tripping. Meanwhile, critical investment decisions stalled, upstream output declined, and the country was left unable to take full advantage of high oil prices due to mismanagement and leakages.

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The transition of NNPC into a limited liability company was supposed to signal a new era of commercial discipline and accountability. Instead, Kyari’s tenure saw the entrenchment of old habits under a new corporate guise. The company evaded scrutiny by withholding audited statements, failing to engage meaningfully with shareholders—the Nigerian people—and resisting structural reforms under the guise of national security or market sensitivity. This undermined investor confidence, constrained capital inflow into the sector, and left Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain in a state of arrested development.

At this critical juncture—where Nigeria must stabilize its fiscal base, accelerate gas commercialization, attract investment, and align with global energy transition trends—NNPC cannot continue to be a drain on the treasury or a bastion of unaccountability. The new board and management, appointed with careful consideration of technical competence, ethical standing, and regional representation, brings with them, a renewed mandate: to clean house, rebuild trust, and reposition NNPC as a truly performance-driven national oil company.

This moment marks the beginning of a long-overdue shift—from rent-seeking to value creation, from secrecy to transparency, and from institutional stagnation to strategic renewal. It is a necessary turning point for NNPC, and by extension, for Nigeria’s economic future.
- Bala Mohammed, Abuja.
April 9, 2025
Securing the future of Nigeria’s coffee industry
- By Abachi Ungbo
Sir: Nigeria must prime itself to cash in on the vista of opportunities in global coffee industry. Instructively, Precedence Research- a market research company reported that the global coffee market size was worth about $245.2 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach around $381.52 billion by 2034. Coffee potential can be unlocked to transition the country from a fringe producer to a coffee production hub that will generate stupendous wealth, create jobs and expand non- oil export sources. Poor production has consigned the country to the foot of the ladder of producers in Africa despite its huge potential. The poor production can be conveniently instantiated by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report of zero coffee export in the first nine months of 2024.

China is on the spotlight as it continues to strive to put itself on the global coffee map as a major producer. In 2024, Yunnan province exported 32,500 tonnes of coffee which represented a year-in-year increase of 358%. Though, still at the fringes of global coffee production, China has deliberately taken big steps to boost production and quality. It has designated the crop as a priority in its rural revitalization plan for Yunnan basically providing key conditions for the development of coffee through increasing expertise and investment.

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A glimmer of hope for Nigeria coffee industry still subsists with the presence of a host of active entrepreneurs and businesses working along the value chain; also is the burgeoning taste for coffee. But then quite a lot needs to be done in making the industry productive.

There’s no one silver bullet to all the problems around coffee development. However, at the heart of the solution is government involvement in the area of investment and support in rural infrastructural improvement, rehabilitating of ageing trees, improving technology for improved productivity and processing to increase quality and market value, improving extension services and increasing the funding of research.

Coffee producers need to possess requisite skills and technical know-how in the cultivation and production of high quality beans and to improve output. Also, there’s a need for strong advocacy for the farmers who are not heard and barely get value for the precious little they produce or grow which constituted a disincentive.

With a strong political will, the establishment of the National Tea and Coffee Development Council will decidedly be a game-changer. It will provide the framework for production, commercialization/marketing and consumption of tea and coffee in Nigeria alongside the provision of technical, managerial and requisite extension services. It is basically time for the Nigeria specialty to be heard. Securing the future of the coffee industry will require bold and decisive action.

•Abachi Ungbo,

abachi007@yahoo.com
April 8, 2025
The audacity of insecurity
- By Ike Willie-Nwobu
Sir: Maharazu Tsiga, who was once the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) recently spent 56 days in the hands of his abductors. His chilling experience reminds Nigerians that no one is really safe.

On February 5, Tsiga was picked up from his house by bandits. He spent about fifty-six days in the bush as his captors kept his family on edge while launching minatory demands for outrageous amounts of money as ransom. Following his release, he has continued to share his experience with the media, and what is clear is that his time in the bush was a nightmare.

Tsiga’s experience echoed the experience of kidnap victims who, when taken to the bush are subjected to all manner of cruel and inhuman treatment by their captors who add insult to injury by collecting huge ransom and getting away with their deeds.

Many kidnap victims have been known to die in the hands of their captors either as a result of hunger, dehydration or adverse weather conditions. Many are sexually assaulted, deliberately exposed to wild animals, physically assaulted, all in a bid to speed up the payment of ransom by their terrified families.

Some kidnap victims have been known to die tragically after release or rescue as a result of their ordeal.

Nigerians remain vulnerable to kidnapping and other activities of banditry. Because the country remains critically unsecured with stretched security personnel unable to cover the length and breadth of the country and secure populations, criminals often have a field day attacking communities and carting away people and their valuables.

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The prevalence of kidnapping for ransom in the northeast and northwest of the country, for example, has something to do with the land mass and the sheer number of people who lack adequate security.

Rural dwellers whose occupation is farming and fishing have suffered the most at the hands of these bandits. Their livelihoods leave them at the mercy of these ruthless bands, who depend on the cover of forests and swamps to carry on their business of death and distress.

The greatest failure of government strategy in tackling banditry is not even that security personnel have failed to round up, prosecute and incarcerate all bandits. That will be asking too much. Where the government has failed the most is in failing to stem the massive flow of funds that fuels kidnapping for ransom.

Each victim snatched by kidnappers is valued in terms of the money they can generate as ransom, with ransom demands running into millions of Naira for each person. Predictably, the more valuable a person is, the higher the ransom placed on their heads. General Tsiga was said to have been released only after his kidnappers received about N180 million.

Apart from the terrorist aspect of banditry and kidnapping for ransom, it has become very lucrative.

If anything, kidnapping Nigerians for ransom is a business that is on the rise, and why should it stop? Why should those who mine gold out of the distress of Nigerians suddenly pack up and put out the fires they have made, which is keeping them warm while burning others to the ground? Why should they fear when even the government is swept into helpless hand-wringing whenever they strike?

As a country, Nigeria must urgently review its security architecture. This has become imperative in the face of these relentless kidnapping of citizens. Since it is clear that current security measures are failing to arrest the problem, it is time to innovate and expand Nigeria’s capacity to protect its citizens.

•Ike Willie-Nwobu,

Ikewilly9@gmail.com
April 8, 2025
Self-reliance as solution to foreign aid withdrawal
- By Samuel Jekeli
Sir: The recent withdrawal of USAID and similar development partners from several programs in Nigeria has once again exposed the nation’s overdependence on external aid. While foreign assistance has, for decades, supported critical sectors such as health, education, and governance, the sudden halt or reduction of these partnerships has left a void that many Nigerians—especially employees and communities directly affected—are struggling to process.

Reports of job losses, program closures, and growing psychological distress have emerged, with some Nigerians facing high blood pressure, depression, and even suicidal thoughts as a result of the abrupt disruption. These alarming trends point to a pressing need for Nigerians to work on themselves, strengthen their inner capacity, and embrace self-reliance to avoid emotional and economic collapse when support systems change or disappear.

Human Resources (HR) experts have noted that the overdependence on foreign aid fosters a fragile workforce—one that often lacks resilience, innovation, or adaptability. Employees grow accustomed to donor-driven job roles without diversifying their skills or preparing for life beyond the funding cycle. When these roles end, as they inevitably do, the result is a wave of confusion, emotional breakdowns, and financial instability.

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It is clear that Nigeria must begin to build its human capital from within, empowering individuals with the mind-set, skills, and emotional intelligence needed to survive and thrive in a world of uncertainty. Self-reliance starts with self-development. Every Nigerian—whether employed or unemployed—must be encouraged to see personal growth as a necessity, not a luxury. This includes lifelong learning, which calls for constantly acquiring new skills through training, certifications, and practical experience. Mental resilience must also be developed, including emotional intelligence and coping mechanisms for stress and change. Entrepreneurial thinking is equally essential, with the ability to solve problems, spot opportunities, and create value—whether in business or within existing jobs—becoming a core requirement in today’s world.

This shift is not just about economic survival; it is about emotional well-being and mental health. By working on themselves, Nigerians reduce the risk of mental health breakdowns when external systems fail.

To move forward, Nigerians must begin to take bold steps in various critical areas. Entrepreneurship and innovation must be embraced to build businesses that serve local needs and create employment. Agriculture, tech, fashion, and renewable energy present opportunities that remains largely untapped. Vocational and technical skills should also be prioritized beyond academic degrees, with greater emphasis on trades such as carpentry, tailoring, welding, and software development.

There is also a growing need for financial literacy. Individuals must learn how to save, invest wisely, and develop multiple streams of income to provide a buffer against economic shocks. Mental health awareness should be promoted through counselling, community support groups, and public education to address the silent crisis of stress and depression that many face. Community development efforts must be championed by citizens who are willing to take responsibility for local issues rather than relying solely on NGOs or government interventions.

Furthermore, young Nigerians must begin to form networks that encourage learning, accountability, and skill-sharing to equip themselves for the challenges ahead.

The withdrawal of USAID should not spell doom. Rather, it should serve as a national wake-up call, an opportunity for Nigeria to rethink its development model, invest in its people, and encourage a culture of ownership and resilience. Nigerians must begin to understand that no support system—no matter how well-funded—can replace personal vision, competence, and self-leadership. True progress lies not in how much support a nation receives, but in how well its people are equipped to stand when the support is gone.

•Samuel Jekeli,

Centre for Social Justice, Abuja.
April 8, 2025
A house divided against itself
- By Ike Willie-Nwobu
Sir: The heinous crimes perpetrated against 16 hunters in Uromi Edo State on March 25 have continued to highlight the massive challenges Nigeria faces in healing the many wounds it has as a country.

While there is a near consensus that the hunters who were traveling from Port Harcourt to Edo before a murderous gang of vigilantes mistook them for vultures should never have met such a gruesome end, the conversation especially on social media has fetched out Nigeria’s historical fault lines, fastening them to the national fabric at a time healing rather than ethnic histrionics should be the headlines. While the condemnation of the killings has been unanimous, attention has been diverted towards the context of where the murdered hunters hailed from, where they were traveling to, and where they were burnt to death. The pages of history have also been opened to recall another crime that whipped up a national trauma.

In 2022, in heart-rending circumstances, Deborah Samuel, a student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto State was lynched for blasphemy, right in the school where she was a student.

As shock spread through the country, Nigerians were alarmed as some seeming justifications brought forward for her killings. In the same measure, many Nigerians were rattled by the silence of many who should have spoken up against the murder but did not. Predictably, the culprits were never caught. Today, the fact that many of those people have spoken up against the killings, has fuelled accusations of hypocrisy and double standards.

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It does not take much to see that the divisions in Nigeria run deep. These divisions which are defined by their toxicity usually find teeth in threats. Conversations quickly become angry and agitated, with the result being that ideas are hardly ever communicated in such a way as to create dialogue.

This is turn creates distrust and even more disagreements.

What would it take to build the Nigeria envisioned in the dreams of the country’s founding fathers? What would it take to build a Nigeria devoid of the dangerous divisions bred by different tongues and tribes? Is it possible for Nigerians to shed their tribal and religious affiliations and consider the task of nation building as paramount?

To realize a country where people consider themselves as citizens and patriots before tribesmen, those who find themselves in government must lead the way. By policies and education, they must strive to foster the Nigerian spirit of unity in diversity as a door to common progress and greater aspiration.

No country that has developed through national cohesion ever stumbled its way to that state. Nigerians have to be intentional about national cohesion as a criterion for national development.

•Ike Willie-Nwobu,

Ikewilly9@gmail.com
April 7, 2025
President Tinubu and 2027 opposition manoeuvres
- By Kenechukwu Aguolu
Sir: As the year 2027 draws closer, political manoeuvrings and calculations are already underway across Nigeria. The landscape is expected to shift, with new alliances and coalitions forming among political actors and parties. However, in my view, the chances of the current administration retaining power in 2027 remain high, and several compelling reasons support this assertion.

First and foremost, the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party currently in power, stands as the most formidable political force in the country. The APC boasts an unrivalled structure, a stable leadership, and the highest membership among all political parties. With the largest number of serving governors and National Assembly members, the party is firmly entrenched in all corners of the country. These factors alone give the APC a significant advantage as it gears up for the 2027 presidential elections.

Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the current administration has displayed a deep sense of patriotism and a clear vision for Nigeria’s future. While the reforms introduced by the government came with initial challenges, these difficulties are gradually easing, and the results are becoming increasingly evident. Prices of goods and services are steadily dropping, and the Naira is beginning to show signs of recovery. The government’s efforts to diversify the economy are also bearing fruit, with initiatives such as the revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Company and ongoing reforms in the mining sector. By 2027, the dividends of these economic reforms will be more apparent, and the public will be able to feel their positive impact. These successes will work in the administration’s favour and could solidify the APC’s hold on power.

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Infrastructure and security have been at the forefront of the government’s priorities. Significant improvements in power generation have already been made, and efforts to tackle insecurity have begun to show positive results, albeit gradually.

Furthermore, the government is investing heavily in road construction, including vital projects like the Lagos-Calabar Expressway. These infrastructural developments are not just for show—they will stimulate economic activities across the country, create jobs, and enhance the living standards of Nigerians. If these trends continue, it will be hard for any political opponent to deny the progress made under the current administration.

Perhaps the most critical factor in the APC’s favour is the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu himself. With his personality, widespread followership, and experience, he stands as a political giant in Nigeria. His leadership has been marked by a strong sense of purpose and determination, and his vast network of supporters spans across different regions of the country.

While some may argue that time will tell who will emerge as a viable challenger to President Tinubu, it’s difficult to imagine any politician currently being touted as a credible candidate who could match his national appeal and charisma. The nature of Nigerian politics means that any potential challenger would need to command significant nationwide support to pose a real threat to the APC’s grip on power.

Looking ahead to the 2027 presidential election, I believe it will be much easier for President Tinubu to secure re-election than it was in 2023. His leadership performance, coupled with the robust support of the APC, places him in a strong position for victory. While unforeseen events may shape the political landscape over the next few years, the factors already in play suggest that the current administration is well-positioned to retain power.

•Kenechukwu Aguolu,

<kenerek1@gmail.com>
April 7, 2025
Why Fubara must be wary of cheerleaders, ethnic jingoists
- By Lanre Atere
Sir: Political godfatherism and mentorship are common in democratic societies, and Nigeria is no exception. However, one may wonder how many of these relationships have led to peace, harmony, and the continued progress of governance in the country.

The recent disagreement between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, which started just three months after Fubara’s inauguration in 2023, has unfortunately escalated into a prolonged political crisis. This has hindered good governance and the delivery of democratic benefits to the people of Rivers State.

While it is true that Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has shown overbearing traits and excesses, Fubara’s actions towards his former mentor—such as his disloyalty and betrayal—are deeply troubling and cannot be justified. As a beneficiary of Wike’s political mentorship, Fubara should have understood that great responsibility comes with the privilege of being supported into power. Unfortunately, he allowed those who never supported his candidacy or contributed to his rise to manipulate and exploit him for their selfish gain.

It is disappointing and shameful that the elders, leaders, and traditional rulers in Rivers State failed to step in during this crisis. Instead of working to resolve the issue, many of them chose sides, letting emotions cloud their judgment and turning into part of the problem rather than offering solutions.

In the midst of this political turmoil, President Tinubu intervened to broker peace, and an agreement was signed by all parties. Governor Fubara initially began to implement the agreement, but his so-called allies pressured him to abandon the plan. Some even took the president to court. This led to further complications.

The situation worsened when the Supreme Court ruled that governance in Rivers State had become dysfunctional due to the governor’s side-lining of the state House of Assembly. The ruling affirmed the authority of the state assembly, led by Speaker Amaewule, and ordered the resumption of legislative activities without obstruction. However, the governor’s refusal to present the budget to the assembly created a deadlock. This, combined with the assembly’s aggressive tactics, led to the issuance of an impeachment notice against the governor, which paralyzed government activities and caused a standstill in the state’s administration.

The political situation reached a breaking point when certain ethnic groups in the state threatened peace and national assets, and there were attacks on oil pipelines. The governor failed to take any action or even condemn these actions, leaving President Tinubu with no choice but to declare a state of emergency, as permitted by the constitution. This intervention helped restore some stability and provided an opportunity for the warring factions to come to the negotiating table and find a peaceful resolution.

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It is ironic and frustrating to now hear harsh criticism from individuals who had previously supported or remained silent during the governor’s unconstitutional actions. Where were these voices when Governor Fubara was disregarding the constitution and the rule of law? Some of these same critics were seen encouraging him in his unlawful behaviour, which only fuelled the crisis.

The truth must be told: the political situation in Rivers State was heading towards disaster before President Tinubu’s decisive intervention. Declaring a state of emergency is a necessary and extraordinary measure in such extreme circumstances, and it is unfair for self-serving leaders to criticize the president for doing what was needed to restore order.

Every state of emergency in Nigeria’s history has been unique, and the one declared in Rivers State is no exception. The president’s action was aimed at preventing a worse outcome and giving the state a chance to recover.

The state of emergency has created a window for reconciliation. I urge leaders and elder statesmen to set aside their emotions and become part of the peace process, instead of acting as obstacles. Only through unity can Rivers State return to normalcy.

I also call on disruptive individuals, such as the federal lawmaker from Imo State, to stay away from Rivers State for the sake of peace and progress.

•Lanre Atere,

United Kingdom.
April 7, 2025
ECOWAS: Still a long way to integration
- By Bishir Dauda Sabuwar
Sir: Ever since my road trip advocacy to ECOWAS member-states began on Tuesday, April 1 from Lagos, the reality on the ground has been somewhat revealing. Let me start with the major challenges I have encountered so far, starting with the borders. I understand that ECOWAS’ prime objective is to achieve regional integration. It is the reason for the trans-high way starting from Lagos connecting many countries in West Africa.

However, along this trans-high way are borders. The borders are the first signs that remind travellers and community citizens that we are not one. These barriers are obstacles to regional integration. They depict and promote ultra-nationalism, the cancer that is currently debilitating America.

Borders promote division, hate against immigrants, and exploitation of travellers. They are being abused by those manning them. In each of these borders I passed, I had to give money to the officials to sign my passport.

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Next is the issue of multiple currencies. In Nigeria we use the Naira. When I reached Seme border, I saw money changers making brisk business from currency trade. If you enter Cotonou with Naira, you can’t spend it. So, you need CFA. In Togo, I used CFA, but when I reached Aflao, the border between Togo and Ghana, I had to change my money to Cedi. In Aflao, the value of the Naira to CFA is less than what obtains at Seme.

So, to travel in West Africa you need to carry a lot of cash because even the ATM accepts only international cards like MasterCard, Visa, etc. and even there are no guarantees. So, you have to go around with cash as if we were in the 19th century.

This multiple currencies also remind the community citizens that we are still different nationals.

The solution to this is the eco currency. Also, there is need to accelerate the financial integration.

Third is communication: From the time I have left Lagos to the time of writing this, I have bought three different sim cards. In Cotonou, I had to purchase a sim card or else I cannot access internet or I will call at a very outrageous rate. For instance in Togo, I sent a text message to someone in Nigeria and they charged me N500.

After leaving Cotonou, I had to buy a new sim card at the Togo-Cotonou border. This made me to have two sim cards of two different countries in the same region.

Before we entered Ghana, I had to buy another sim card. Now I have four sim cards including the one from Nigeria. This means to cover the 12 countries, I would need 12 different sim cards with different call rates.

•Comrade Bishir Dauda Sabuwar,

Unguwa Katsina.
April 4, 2025
Fubara, victim of political megalomania
- By Sunday Olagunju
Sir: When the not-too-young to rule bill was passed to law some years ago, lot of Nigerians hailed the move as laudable and a bold step towards the country’s future development. Sadly, the recent political misadventure by Siminalayi Fubara, the youthful governor of Rivers State, which has led to the declaration of a state of emergency and the suspension of his government by the president, constitutes a grave discouragement to many Nigerians, whose idea of giving the youths a chance seem now misplaced or untimely.

Fubara was a victim of political megalomania, which experts describe as excessive self-esteem. Not a few Nigerians were taken aback by Fubara’s inscrutable attitudinal disposition to all pleas and advice to tread softly in his daggers-drawn approach to the governing of the oil rich Rivers State.

For close to two years, Fubara held Rivers State at the jugular, destroying constitutionalism and governing by the rule of his political idiosyncrasies and despotism.

Nyesom Wike had probably mistaken the political personality of the youthful Fubara as an unassuming young politician who could be mentored and groomed to gain political ascendancy in a rapidly emerging Rivers State political potentate.

The sad thing about Fubara was his penchant for seeing every opposition or challenge within the context of enemies and foes who wanted to topple his government. Fubara failed to realize that consensus and compromise are the hallmarks of politics and many great political decisions have been reached and achieved based on political consensus building and compromise.

Fubara courted trouble when he disregarded the state House of Assembly and began a yeoman rule seeing everybody as against his government, being a sign of political naivety and gross immaturity.

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Now that the bubble has burst and the cat out of the bag, what sort of lesson should Fubara learn from the six months suspension as governor and the President’s declaration of the state of emergency in Rivers State?

Fubara should use the next six months to mend broken fences and frayed nerves in Rivers State. He should return to the drawing board to see where he has missed it. There is a Yoruba proverb that “when a man falls, the elders look backward but the young ones look forward”.

He should seek truce with Nyesom Wike his estranged political father and seek collaboration for a return of sanity to the Rivers State politics. The Yoruba also have an adage that says “a river that forgets its source will soon dry off”. Whether Fubara likes it or not, Wike constituted one of his sources for making him the governor of the state. You don’t discard such person like a pack of cards or a wave of the hands and think you can go scot free.

Wike resides in Abuja, yet he commands more respect than the governor who resides in the state, to show that political greatness is not by rascality or much talk; it is an art of wisdom and astute leadership by action and purpose.

What he does in the next six months before the expiration of the state of emergency is crucial and will determine whether he will return to pick up the crucibles of his governorship or begin to sing his likely Nunc-dimittis from politics.

He would need caution not to jeopardize a glorious political career beckoning on him.

•Sunday Olagunju,

Ibadan, Oyo State.
April 4, 2025
Training of Almajiri: A good step towards national development
- By Kasim Isa
Sir: The Almajiri system in Nigeria has long been a subject of intense debate, drawing attention to the issues of child neglect, lack of education, and street begging. For decades, millions of children have roamed the streets, surviving on handouts and often falling into a cycle of poverty and crime. However, a renewed effort to reform the system is gaining momentum, largely driven by the National Almajiri Commission and Out-of-School Children. The commission, under the leadership of its Chief Executive Officer, Muhammad Sani Idriss, is making notable strides in ensuring that these children receive the education and skills needed to become productive members of society.

In an exclusive interview with the BBC Hausa Service on April 1, Idriss detailed the commission’s commitment to transforming the Almajiri system. He expressed concern over the fact that, in contemporary Nigeria, some children still rely on begging just to survive. According to him, this is an unacceptable reality that must be urgently addressed. He revealed that the commission has already begun implementing strategic policies and programmes aimed at providing Almajiri children with formal education and vocational training, ensuring that they are equipped for a future where they can sustain themselves and contribute meaningfully to national development.

As part of this initiative, the commission has launched a pilot training programme in Kaduna. This initiative is not just about education; it is about empowerment. The project is designed to provide Almajiri children with both academic knowledge and practical skills that will enable them to find employment or even become entrepreneurs. Idriss believes that if this pilot programme proves successful, it will serve as a model for similar initiatives across different states, gradually reforming the Almajiri system nationwide. He emphasised that the goal is to ensure that every Almajiri child is given a chance to escape the cycle of poverty and dependence.

Beyond religious instruction, which has traditionally been the primary focus of the Almajiri system, the commission is now incorporating vocational and modern education into the curriculum. This new approach ensures that children not only gain Islamic knowledge but also acquire technical skills in fields such as carpentry, tailoring, farming, and computer literacy. While merging religious and secular education, the commission hopes to create a well-rounded system that provides Almajiri children with a pathway to self-sufficiency and success in the modern world.

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Idriss stressed that achieving meaningful and lasting change requires strong government intervention. He noted that the commission is working in close collaboration with religious leaders, state governments, and international development partners to formulate and implement sustainable policies that will support the long-term reform of the Almajiri system. Without the involvement of these key stakeholders, he argued, it would be nearly impossible to bring about the much-needed transformation.

One of the most significant steps forward, according to Dr. Idriss, is the commission’s development of a framework for integrating Almajiri education into the formal school system. By doing this, the commission aims to bridge the gap between traditional religious learning and Western education. This integration will give Almajiri children access to broader opportunities, allowing them to pursue careers in various fields while still retaining their religious knowledge and cultural heritage. This, he believes, is a fundamental step in changing the public’s perception of Almajiri children as merely street beggars.

Regarding funding, Dr. Idriss reassured Nigerians that the federal government is fully committed to providing the necessary financial resources to sustain the Almajiri reform initiative. However, he also encouraged private sector players and international organisations to contribute both funding and technical assistance to ensure the programme’s long-term success. He noted that investing in Almajiri education is not just a social responsibility but an economic strategy that will yield long-term benefits for the country.

He is optimistic that the commission’s ongoing reforms will ensure that Almajiri children receive the same opportunities as their peers in conventional schools, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to be self-reliant and successful.

The transformation of the Almajiri system represents a good step towards national development. If implemented successfully, these reforms will not only change the lives of millions of children but also contribute positively to Nigeria’s socio-economic growth.

•Kasim Isa ,

Potiskum, Yobe State.
April 4, 2025