Street children, integrated education and violence in northern Nigeria

Mainstream discussions on out-of-school boys in northern Nigeria often paint pictures of dirty and violent street-child-beggars that contributed to place Nigeria atop of nations that have the largest number of out-of-school children. This chapter explores how the failing system of traditional almajiri education, challenges associated with government efforts to integrate almajiri education into the formal school system, social exclusion and hostility contribute to increase the boys’ vulnerability to radicalisation and recruitment by Boko Haram. It recommends an equitable and non-discriminatory education framework to address the almajiri challenge and reduce the increasing wave of violence and criminality in the northern Nigeria.