Jigawa State expands modern Tsangaya schools to integrate Almajiri children
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The Jigawa State Government is reforming the Tsangaya educational system to provide Almajiri children with a combination of religious and modern academic training.
The state government expanded on a 2012 federal pilot project that originally established seven model boarding schools. While some conservative clerics initially rejected the modern initiative, many have since embraced the model.
Alaramma Illiyasu, a cleric who ran a traditional school for 30 years, changed his stance after seeing the learning environment and accommodation facilities provided by the state. He now transfers his students to the modern system, noting that the curriculum guarantees students learn the Holy Qur’an alongside conventional subjects and modern skills. The government established the Jigawa State Tsangaya Education Board (JISTEB) to oversee these reforms.
The board is increasing the state budget from ₦1.82 billion in 2025 to ₦3.5 billion in 2026 to fund capital and recurrent projects. These initiatives include building three regional mega schools and expanding model centers in Dutse, Ringim, and Kafin Hausa. The new system embeds three tracks: Quranic recitation and Arabic values, basic subjects like English and Mathematics, and practical trades such as carpentry, plumbing, and tailoring.
A recent census by the Jigawa State Bureau of Statistics identified 10,197 non-formal centers catering to over 1.1 million learners. The report found that 66 per cent of Almajiri learners rely on community support for daily meals and that many sleeping quarters require major repairs. Governor Umar Namadi said the government will use this data to improve student welfare and scale up literacy and skill acquisition programs.
The state also partnered with the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Education to provide specialized teacher training and a pathway for pupils to earn recognized certificates.
