The Child and Child Education in the Works of Abdullah b. Fodio

Abstract This article examines the concept of the child and the principles of child education in the works of Abdullah b. Fodio (d. 1245/1829), one of the most prominent intellectual figures of the Sokoto Caliphate in which corresponds to present-day northern Nigeria. Although Islamic education in Africa has received considerable scholarly attention, less focus has been directed toward individual thinkers from Bilād al-Sūdān who articulated distinctive educational philosophies have received less focus. Using a qualitative, library-based methodology and a descriptive-analytical approach, this study closely examines Ibn Fodio’s writings to explore his views on child's nature, their rights owed to children, the responsibilities of parents and teachers, and the appropriate methods of instruction and discipline. It further examines his view of formal education as a structured process with a specific curriculum. The analysis reveals that Ibn Fodio’s educational vision was firmly rooted in the classical Islamic pedagogy. He envisaged child education as developing across three distinct stages—early childhood, the age of discernment, and maturity—each requiring tailored approaches and content. Moreover, he emphasised the balance between affection and corrective discipline, warning against excessive harshness while advocating compassion. Notably, his endorsement of reinforcement, both positive and corrective, bears resemblance to modern social learning theories. The study also looks into Ibn Fodio’s perspectives on the balance between play and work, as well as gender bias in education. By appraising these insights, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of the concept of education in precolonial Muslim West Africa and recovers the voice of a Muslim African scholar whose ideas retain enduring relevance to contemporary debates on child development and moral education. Keywords Islamic Education, Child Education, Social Learning, Bilād al-Sūdān, Abdullah b. Fodio, Sokoto Caliphate, Moral Education