Harmattan in Maiduguri arrives with cold nights, harsh dust, and rising health risks for children who roam the streets without protection.
Many of these boys are Almajiri, sent to acquire Qur’anic teachings but often left without basic needs like food, shelter, or consistent care.
Some of them are barely five years old, wandering from one location to another, pleading for food or small money to get through each day.
When harmattan sets in, their condition becomes more difficult as many sleep outdoors on bare soil, covered only in thin, worn clothing.
One of the boys said, “We spend our night burning damaged tires and dirt at the roadside to keep ourselves warm.”
The fumes they inhale while warming up expose them to cough, respiratory discomfort, catarrh, chest tightness, and other breathing issues.
The dusty atmosphere also triggers rashes, cracked skin, eye irritation, and in serious situations, pneumonia.
A Maiduguri pharmacist, Hamza Adamu, noted that Almajiri children frequently endure ailments such as dry cough, flu, skin irritation, pneumonia, and asthma.
He further explained that the absence of medical care, poor hygiene, and irregular bathing increases infection risks during the harmattan period.
He suggested that basic hygiene sensitisation and simple routines like bathing once daily could help lower illness cases among the boys.
He also advised that free medical support and wider public assistance could lessen the hardship they face.
What the Borno State Government has done so far
The Borno State Government under Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has rolled out reforms aimed at reducing street begging and enhancing the wellbeing of Almajiri pupils.
In 2022, the administration mandated vocational training and foundational literacy in 3,226 Qur’anic and Almajiri learning centres.
These centres registered about 224,068 learners during the exercise, taught by over 12,000 instructors.
The initiative seeks to merge Qur’anic studies with formal subjects such as mathematics, English, and practical skill acquisition.
In November 2024, the state organised an education summit engaging Islamic scholars and education stakeholders on future reforms.
A harmonised curriculum was launched to enable Almajiri children to gain both Islamic learning and academic knowledge.
In 2025, a 48-classroom integrated Islamic College began operations in Gajiganna to promote blended instruction.
The government later distributed work equipment to 150 Almajiri youths who successfully completed skill-training programmes.
According to the state, the reforms aim to equip Almajiri children with knowledge, skills, and alternatives to street begging.
What UNICEF says about out-of-school children nationwide
UNICEF recently stated that about 10.2 million primary-school-age children in Nigeria are currently out of school.
The agency further estimates that the figure could rise to as much as 18.3 million when considering the national total.
Government figures quoted in the media suggest that nearly 9.5 million children are enrolled under the Almajiri system across the country.
These numbers highlight how many children remain at risk, especially in regions with high Almajiri populations and displaced families.
Where the challenge still remains
Large numbers of Almajiri boys still sleep and move around the streets, particularly at night when harmattan cold intensifies.
Some centres lack accommodation for every child, and many do not yet benefit from the new government-supported facilities.
Shortages in food, warm clothing, healthcare access, and safe sleeping spaces continue to persist.
Seasonal strategies are needed to shield those who remain outdoors during harmattan.
Health missions, warm garments, blankets, temporary shelters, and hygiene awareness can provide immediate assistance.
A call for collective action
Meanwhile, analysts opine that government’s reforms indicate that progress is possible when welfare structures and education systems align.
However, religious figures, families, civil groups, and communities also have vital roles in guiding and safeguarding these children. Because, these children, according to CSOs, deserve protection, education, and dignity, not nights spent burning tires just to survive the cold.
