Assessing the Welfare of Almajiris in Katsina State: A Social Work Appraisal

The almajiri system, characterised by the informal migration of young boys for Quranic education, presents complex social welfare challenges that remain insufficiently addressed in northern Nigerian policy frameworks. This study assesses the welfare conditions of almajiris in Katsina State, examining indicators of nutrition, shelter, healthcare access, and educational attainment in selected communities within Katsina Municipal and Dutsinma. A descriptive survey design is used, with data gathered from 100 almajiris, community leaders, and Islamic teachers through structured questionnaires and interview guides. Frequencies and simple percentages are used for analysis. Findings indicate that the majority of almajiris lack access to nutritious food, formal schooling, healthcare services, and meaningful adult supervision. Many engage in begging and labour exploitation as survival strategies. Formal social work services targeting this population are virtually absent, and government integration programmes have achieved limited coverage due to cultural resistance. The study recommends a culturally sensitive social work approach that engages Quranic school teachers as community partners, integrates basic literacy and livelihood skills into almajiri programmes, and builds social welfare infrastructure in communities hosting large almajiri populations. Keywords: almajiri, welfare, Katsina State, child poverty, Islamic education