Nigeria bans Almajiri street begging

The Federal Government of Nigeria, under President Bola Tinubu, approved the National Policy for the Enhancement of Almajiri Education, a comprehensive reform of the traditional Qur'anic education system. The policy bans Almajiri learning centres from sending pupils to beg on the streets or perform menial jobs, with sanctions including possible closure for violators. It introduces compulsory literacy, numeracy, digital education, civic education, and vocational skills into the curriculum, and establishes a structured certification process for graduates. All learning centres must register with state or local authorities, maintain biometric records of learners, and meet minimum health, sanitation, and accommodation standards. Registered schools become eligible for government support including learning materials, healthcare, nutrition, and teacher development. Implementation is coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Education and the Nigeria — National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, with involvement from state governments, traditional rulers, and development partners. The policy aims to reform rather than abolish the Almajiri system, addressing child exploitation and reducing Nigeria's out-of-school children population.