Over the past decades, in northern Nigeria, the Almajiri system has been the major system of education, which precludes children from basic education (Nigeria has the highest number of out of school children in Africa). There are next to no jobs or opportunities for Almajiri adults in the increasingly challenging and competitive world, thus contributing to poverty.

The Global Day of Impact for the Almajiri Child, on 25 September, 2019, was aimed at inspiring support especially at the societal level, to provide decent accommodation, basic formal education, and access to health care for the Almajiri children. Almajiri Child Rights Initiative (ACRI) Sokoto, in close collaboration with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Sokoto branch, RCE Kano, Lahiya Sak, Save the Child Initiative, Freedom for Life Initiative, Mareri Foundation and Every Girl Every Woman, promoted good sanitation practices in some selected Almajiri schools located in Sokoto State, due to the poor hygienic conditions present.

Through the Almajiri Goals, partners carried out a free medical outreach at some selected Almajiri schools located in Sokoto town where about 100 Almajiri children were provided free medical care by the Nigerian Medical Association Sokoto branch in line with SDG 3. With at least 9 out of the 17 SDGs connected to the plight of Almajiri children, it simply means it is impossible to achieve the SDGs without addressing the Almajiri child rights crises in northern Nigeria.

A press conference was held to formally launch the Almajiri Child Goals at the American Space (Corner) School of Matriculation, City Campus Sokoto on 28 September, 2019, before proceeding to the medical outreach at Tudun Wada.

(Photo credit: RCE Kano)