The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has identified poverty and lack of financial support as major factors forcing many Almajiri children to engage in street begging across Northern Nigeria.
The monarch explained that many of the children are interested in acquiring education but are unable to access the necessary resources to support their schooling and basic needs.
He made the remarks at the 2026 Biennial Lecture, Dinner and Awards of the Barewa Old Boys Association (BOBA), held in Gombe State, where he chaired the occasion.
According to the Sultan, the growing number of children roaming the streets in search of food should not simply be blamed on their unwillingness to attend school, as many are victims of difficult economic circumstances.
He stressed that Islam does not encourage begging and called on governments, religious leaders and other stakeholders to work together to address poverty and improve access to education for vulnerable children.
The Sultan also described the increasing number of out-of-school children as a serious challenge with potential consequences for Nigeria’s national security and development.
He maintained that both Islamic and Western education are important, dismissing suggestions that Muslims are opposed to conventional education.
He further urged governments to provide more educational opportunities, vocational training and adequate support for disadvantaged children.
The monarch commended the Gombe State Government for establishing a school that combines Qur’anic education with conventional learning and skills acquisition, while also citing similar efforts in Zamfara State.
He called for more initiatives to ensure that children from poor backgrounds can receive proper education instead of being left to fend for themselves on the streets.
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