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By Oscar Okhifo
The Sokoto State Government has unveiled a new policy granting monthly allowances to Imams, their deputies, and Mu’azzins across the state, alongside cash allocations for Jumu’at mosques.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu announced the initiative on Saturday during the graduation of 111 Qur’an memorisers at the Sokoto branch of the Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation. He said the policy was designed to strengthen Islamic propagation and encourage Qur’anic memorisation among children.
“We have introduced monthly allocations to all our Jumu’at mosques, ranging from N300,000 to N500,000 depending on their category. In addition, Imams, their deputies, and Mu’azzins across the state will now receive monthly allowances to support them in the discharge of their duties,” Aliyu stated.
The move, however, has drawn sharp reactions from citizens who accuse the government of prioritizing religion over pressing social needs, particularly education. Critics question why a state consistently ranked among Nigeria’s “educationally disadvantaged” continues to neglect its deteriorating primary and secondary schools.
Many ask: when will Sokoto invest in fixing classrooms that are falling apart? When will teachers be properly motivated, and brilliant pupils rewarded with scholarships and allowances? Why is so much attention given to Islamiya schools and Qur’anic recitation, while conventional education is left in ruins?
Observers warn that unless the government balances religious initiatives with meaningful investment in modern education, Sokoto risks leaving future generations unprepared for a knowledge-driven world.
At the event, Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar commended Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi for establishing the foundation and praised scholars for promoting Islamic values.
Former Governor Aliyu Wamakko and Senator Abdulaziz Yari also pledged support, with Yari donating N22 million and food items to the school.
The state government, for its part, presented each of the 111 Qur’an graduates with N20,000 and clothing materials.
The ceremony ended with Qur’anic recitations and prize presentations, but the lingering question remained: when will Sokoto’s abandoned conventional schools receive equal attention? Awakening seems a million and one miles away