A recent open letter by Femi Abbas to Islamic leaders in Nigeria highlighted the country's Muslim community lagging behind in education and literacy. Despite Islam arriving in Nigeria in the 11th century, over 1000 years ago, Muslims are struggling to keep pace with their Christian counterparts. The letter emphasized that Islam was introduced to Nigeria unaccompanied, but gained traction through the 18th-century great Jihad of Usman Dan Fodio, driven by education.
Historically, the north was the only part of Nigeria that was literate when Europeans first arrived in the 16th century, thanks to Islam's introduction of Arabic literacy. However, the colonialists failed to retain this literacy, leading to the north being perceived as backward today. In contrast, over 80% of Nigerian Christians are literate in English or their vernacular languages, enabling them to translate the Bible into 13 Nigerian languages.
The problem lies not only with the curriculum of Qur'anic schools but also with the teaching methodology, which is often anachronistic. Many Muslims who pass through these schools end up being serious embarrassments to Islam. The late Sheikhs Mahmud Gumi and Adam Abdullah Al-Ilory were able to translate the Qur'an into Hausa and Yoruba due to their education in the language of the Qur'an.
The Qur'an has only been translated into two Nigerian languages, Hausa and Yoruba, despite Islam's long history in Nigeria and the large Muslim population. This is a stark contrast to Christianity, which has been translated into 13 Nigerian languages. The lack of Arabic literacy among Muslims is a significant barrier to understanding Islam.
According to the open letter, when Hugh Clapperton, a British colonial agent, met Sultan Muhammad Bello in 1824, he was impressed by the Sultan's knowledge of theology and science. The Sultan had 97 books to his credit, showcasing his complex linguistic, theological, and scientific studies. This highlights the rich intellectual heritage of Islam in Nigeria.
The colonialists' legacy continues to impact Nigeria's education system, with the north still lagging behind the south in terms of literacy. The English colonialists were cautious in their dealings with northerners due to their existing literacy in Arabic. However, they failed to build on this foundation, instead ignoring Arabic literacy and contributing to the north's perceived backwardness.
To move forward, the Muslim community in Nigeria must address the issues plaguing Qur'anic schools and prioritize education and literacy. This will require a concerted effort from Islamic leaders, educators, and policymakers to develop modern, effective teaching methodologies and curricula that equip Muslims with the skills they need to succeed.
Key points
- Less than 5% of Nigerian Muslims are familiar with Arabic literacy.
- The Qur'an has only been translated into two Nigerian languages, Hausa and Yoruba.
- Over 80% of Nigerian Christians are literate in English or their vernacular languages.
