The Influence of Poverty on Almajiri Institution and Security Challenges: Study in Yobe State, Nigeria

Poverty is a multidimensional concept. Depending on the level and dimension of an individual’s or group’s deprivation, the menace can be measured in absolute or relative, temporary or permanent, as well as in subjective or objective terms; as well as an economic, political, social and psychological problem. Poverty has many consequences, and almajiranci, is one of the latent and alarming in Nigeria, especially in the northern part of the country. Almajirci itself is leading to various socio-economic and political problems. Yobe State is one of the northeastern states affected by security challenges associated with Boko Haram and the insurgent group is associated with almajirci. This is why the present study is designed to investigate how poverty influences almajirci and security challenges in Yobe State, Nigeria. The study is anchored on the theory of “poverty as a positive feedback system” otherwise known as the “Vicious circle theory of poverty” will be adopted. Methodologically, the research is descriptive because describes the influence of poverty on almajiri and security challenges in Yobe State. The target population of the study is the male and female residents, almajiris, their mallams, their parents, and political and community leaders in the study area. A total of 411 sample sizes were selected using multi-stage and purposive sampling techniques. Two instruments of data collection are proposed for the study. They are a questionnaire guide and an interview schedule. The method of data analysis was mixed. The study finds that the cases of almajirci in Yobe State are very high and the rate of poverty in the State is very high, too. The lower class people have more tendency to send their children to almajirci, which established the relationship between poverty and almajirci. On the nexus between almajirci and security challenges, the study finds that almajiris are seeing society as merciless, hence they are aggressive to all and sundry. Almajiri children are also taken advantage of during conflict periods and often obliged to carry arms. Thus, the study recommends that: government should make laws that prohibit almajirci in the context of child-street and house-to-house begging; fight poverty through some workable economic policies; the community should also make an effort to help families through some self-help initiatives; and awareness should be made through media for families to stop sending children to almajirci, etc.