An Islamic scholar, Sheikh Bashir Dahiru Bauchi, has warned that children without access to education and proper guidance are vulnerable to recruitment by criminal gangs and violent extremist groups in Northern Nigeria.
Dahiru, founder and chief executive officer of the Islamic Basic Orientation Forum, said widespread illiteracy, poverty and youth idleness were contributing to growing insecurity in the region.
He made the remarks while presenting a paper at the commissioning of the Sheikh Tahir Tsangaya Model School in Kangere, Bauchi State.
The paper, titled “The Qur’an, Modern Education, and Our Shared Responsibility for the Sustainable Future of Tsangaya and Almajiri Education,” examined the importance of combining Islamic education with modern learning to improve children’s prospects.
According to the cleric, the future of Northern Nigeria cannot be secured without addressing the growing number of out-of-school children who lack access to structured education and proper mentorship.
He said poverty and lack of opportunities could have serious consequences when combined with illiteracy and the absence of practical skills.
“An uneducated, idle child is deprived of dignity, hope and purpose,” he said, warning that neglecting young people could further worsen the region’s security challenges.
Dahiru added that leaving thousands of young people without adequate education and productive engagement exposed them to exploitation by groups seeking to recruit them.
He also stressed that Islam places a responsibility on parents and guardians to provide their children with proper upbringing and education from an early age.
The scholar called for greater attention to Tsangaya and Almajiri education, advocating an approach that incorporates Qur’anic learning, modern education and practical skills.
The Sheikh Tahir Tsangaya Model School was commissioned in Kangere as part of efforts to improve educational opportunities for children receiving traditional Islamic education.
Dahiru, founder and chief executive officer of the Islamic Basic Orientation Forum, said widespread illiteracy, poverty and youth idleness were contributing to growing insecurity in the region.
He made the remarks while presenting a paper at the commissioning of the Sheikh Tahir Tsangaya Model School in Kangere, Bauchi State.
The paper, titled “The Qur’an, Modern Education, and Our Shared Responsibility for the Sustainable Future of Tsangaya and Almajiri Education,” examined the importance of combining Islamic education with modern learning to improve children’s prospects.
According to the cleric, the future of Northern Nigeria cannot be secured without addressing the growing number of out-of-school children who lack access to structured education and proper mentorship.
He said poverty and lack of opportunities could have serious consequences when combined with illiteracy and the absence of practical skills.
“An uneducated, idle child is deprived of dignity, hope and purpose,” he said, warning that neglecting young people could further worsen the region’s security challenges.
Dahiru added that leaving thousands of young people without adequate education and productive engagement exposed them to exploitation by groups seeking to recruit them.
He also stressed that Islam places a responsibility on parents and guardians to provide their children with proper upbringing and education from an early age.
The scholar called for greater attention to Tsangaya and Almajiri education, advocating an approach that incorporates Qur’anic learning, modern education and practical skills.
The Sheikh Tahir Tsangaya Model School was commissioned in Kangere as part of efforts to improve educational opportunities for children receiving traditional Islamic education.