Sokoto State Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Sheikh Jabir Sani Maihulla, announced that the World Bank is investing $120 million to address the Almajiri and out-of-school children crisis in northern Nigeria.

The commissioner emphasized that the Almajiri phenomenon has outgrown the capacity of state and federal governments and requires collaborative efforts for a sustainable solution.

“The lingering issue cannot be tackled even if all the state’s resources are invested; the system cannot change it. Even the federal government cannot do it alone; it has to be a collaborative effort with other donor agencies, including international ones,” Sheikh Maihulla stated.

He highlighted the World Bank’s significant investment in northern Nigeria as part of these collaborative efforts. In Sokoto, there are three standard Almajiri schools: one in the Gagi area managed by the federal government, and two others under the state Ministry for Religious Affairs located in Dange Shuni and Wamakko local government areas.