Prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, has warned that the growing number of out-of-school children in Northern Nigeria is directly fueling insecurity in the region, arguing that illiteracy remains one of the strongest drivers of crime and violence.
Sheikh Gumi made this assertion during an interview on Trust TV News on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, while responding to questions on whether the millions of children roaming the streets across Northern states are linked to the worsening security situation.
His comments have since generated renewed debate over the Almajiri system, child welfare, and the role of education in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
When asked directly whether the Almajiri system and the increasing population of children fending for themselves had contributed to insecurity, the cleric did not hesitate to draw a clear connection.
According to him, “Oh, definitely there’s a correlation, because every bandit or every criminal you get, you find that he’s illiterate, he’s not educated.”
He contrasted this with the profile of educated Nigerians, stressing that criminal activities are rarely associated with people who have benefitted from formal schooling.
In his words, “And we that are educated, me and you, you hardly find people like us in banditry or in crimes like that.”
Sheikh Gumi emphasized that education plays a decisive role in shaping values, discipline, and social responsibility, noting that the absence of these qualities often leaves individuals vulnerable to criminal recruitment.
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