Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has called on the northern region to confront its challenges head-on, highlighting that many participants in the recent #EndBadGovernance protests were Almajiris—young street children—who were unaware of the demonstrations’ objectives.
The #EndBadGovernance protests, which began on August 1 across various Nigerian cities to demand economic reforms, initially proceeded peacefully. However, they took a troubling turn as instances of looting and vandalism in some northern states led authorities to impose curfews.
Expressing concern over the youthful demographic of the protesters, Governor Sule noted that many lacked understanding of the protests’ purpose.
“During the recent protest in Lafia, the majority on the streets were Almajiris—some as young as five, seven, nine years old,” the governor remarked during Thursday’s episode of Channels Television’s Politics Today. “When I later spoke with them, they didn’t even know what they were protesting against.”
A Call to Action
To tackle the prevailing illiteracy in the north, Governor Sule emphasized the need for widespread education. He views the protests as a wake-up call for regional leaders to intensify efforts in addressing systemic issues.
“We must convene and reflect. In 2020, we, as governors, made decisions regarding the Almajiris. Unfortunately, it didn’t yield the desired results, and the situation reverted,” he said. “Some religious leaders criticized the initiative. But given recent events, I believe there’s a consensus on the necessity of actions to progress. Otherwise, it’s a ticking time bomb that could eventually affect us all.”
Highlighting education as a cornerstone for change, Sule added, “One of the biggest challenges we’ve faced in the north since I assumed office is education, and it’s an area we continue to prioritize. Without education and economic empowerment, behaviors like those exhibited by the Almajiris during the protests will persist. Education must be treated with utmost seriousness in the north, and we must be candid with one another.”