The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) has raised alarms about the increasing threats linked to unregulated religious schools and the influence of foreign ideologies, urging for enhanced monitoring of madrassas throughout Nigeria.
This issue was highlighted during a national briefing held on Monday in Abuja, organized under the EU-backed Research and Action for Peace (REcAP) Programme.
The session focused on exploring the connections between religious education-especially within madrassas-and the spread of radical beliefs alongside external financial support.
Emmanuel Ami-Okhani, WANEP’s Nigerian representative, explained that the gathering brought together policymakers, academics, civil society representatives, and security officials to discuss the theological, cultural, and security challenges posed by religious schooling in the country.
He noted that the REcAP initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
The project’s goal is to empower civil society and research institutions to effectively counter violent extremism and advance peacebuilding efforts across West Africa and the Lake Chad region.
During the briefing, Dr. Saheed Owonikoko presented a report titled “Madrasas, Charities and Religious Radicalism in Northern Nigeria,” revealing that the Almajiri educational system, while originally designed to provide authentic Islamic instruction, has become vulnerable to unregulated and informal foreign influences.
He highlighted that many Almajiri schools operate without official oversight or documentation, creating gaps that extremist groups might exploit.
Ami-Okhani stressed that the initiative’s purpose is not to cast aspersions on Islamic education but to promote transparency and reinforce the positive role of legitimate religious instruction in nurturing peace and social cohesion.
“Religious education should serve as a foundation for tolerance and national unity, rather than division,” he asserted.
He added, “Although most Almajiri students are peaceful and dedicated to Quranic studies, the absence of proper regulation leaves room for ideological exploitation.”
He further pointed out that some religious charities with foreign ties, particularly from Middle Eastern countries, provide informal funding to these schools, complicating efforts to ensure accountability and openness.
The second research, “Madrassas and Islamic Extremism among Teenage Muslim Students in Southwestern Nigeria,” was delivered by Busari Dauda from the University of Ilorin.
This study found that madrassas in the southwestern region tend to be more structured and officially registered; however, ideological influences still permeate through sectarian teachings and global media narratives.
Dauda observed that while there is no significant evidence of violent radicalization, many young Muslims harbor increasing concerns about global injustices, often shaped by international conflicts such as the Palestinian situation and perceived anti-Muslim biases in Western countries.
Attendees at the briefing advocated for a unified approach to supervising informal religious institutions, recommending collaboration among educational authorities, religious bodies, and community leaders to ensure effective governance.