The Federal Government has tightened enforcement measures in Almajiri learning centres across the country, warning that any centre that fails to comply with newly established operational standards will face sanctions, including possible closure.
Details of the new measures are contained in the National Policy on the Enhancement of Almajiri Education in Nigeria, recently released by the Federal Ministry of Education and obtained by our correspondent on Tuesday. The policy outlines new guidelines for the operations and management of all Almajiri learning centres for both males and females nationwide.
At the centre of the new policy is a set of mandatory standards that all Almajiri learning centres must meet within a probation period of three to six months or risk suspension and eventual closure. The government said the move is part of broader efforts to reform the Almajiri education system, improve the welfare of pupils, and ensure that the centres meet basic educational and child welfare standards.
Under the new policy, all Almajiri learning centres are expected to meet minimum requirements in areas such as infrastructure, curriculum, health and safety, child protection, and proper registration with relevant authorities. The policy also emphasizes the integration of formal education subjects alongside traditional Qur’anic education to ensure that pupils receive a more balanced education that prepares them for broader opportunities in society.
Officials of the Federal Ministry of Education said the enforcement would be carried out in collaboration with state governments, local authorities, and relevant education agencies to ensure compliance across the country. Monitoring teams are expected to be set up to inspect learning centres and assess their level of compliance with the new operational standards.
The policy also addresses the management structure of Almajiri centres, stating that centre operators must maintain proper records of pupils, ensure adequate feeding and accommodation where applicable, and provide a safe learning environment. It further states that any centre found to be engaging in child abuse, neglect, or exploitation will face immediate sanctions in line with existing laws and child protection regulations.
Education stakeholders say the new enforcement measures could significantly reform the Almajiri system if properly implemented, as the system has long faced criticism over issues relating to child welfare, street begging, and lack of access to formal education.
The Federal Government maintained that the objective of the new policy is not to abolish the Almajiri system but to modernise and regulate it in a way that protects children and improves learning outcomes. The government added that the probation period would give operators enough time to adjust to the new requirements before full enforcement begins.
With the new enforcement measures, the Federal Ministry of Education said it aims to ensure that Almajiri learning centres operate within acceptable educational and child welfare standards, while also integrating the pupils into the broader national education framework. The government warned that any centre that fails to meet the standards after the probation period will face sanctions, including suspension or closure, as authorities move to strengthen oversight and accountability in the sector.
