Community-Based Islamic Education Programmes and Illiteracy Reduction in Yobe State

This study examines the contribution of community-based Islamic education programmes to illiteracy reduction in Yobe State, North East Nigeria. Yobe State has one of Nigeria's highest adult illiteracy rates, and community-driven Islamic education initiatives have emerged as important informal channels for basic literacy acquisition. The study employs a mixed-methods design with questionnaires administered to 150 adult learners and 30 programme facilitators in Damaturu, Potiskum, and Gashua, supplemented by in-depth interviews with 10 community Islamic education coordinators. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings indicate that community-based Islamic programmes contribute significantly to basic Arabic literacy and Quranic recitation skills, with modest but measurable gains in functional literacy in Hausa. Challenges include the absence of standardised curricula, limited facilitator capacity, and irregular funding. Programmes backed by formal Islamic organisations showed stronger outcomes than independently run initiatives. The study recommends the formalisation of community Islamic education as part of the state's adult education strategy, the development of standardised dual-language instructional materials, and sustainable government funding for community education facilitators. These recommendations are relevant to the Yobe State Agency for Mass Education and development organisations working on education in conflict-affected northern Nigerian communities. Keywords: community Islamic education, adult literacy, illiteracy reduction, Yobe State, informal education.