Abubakar Adamu Muhammad would never forget the night his maternal family’s cattle were rustled from their home in the Nigerian state of Yobe. The year was 2008. Abubakar was just a teenager attending secondary school in distant Jimeta, Adamawa State, when this tragedy struck the family.
Born into the family of a cleric, Abubakar was exposed to Islamic teachings at a young age. Despite the tragic experience, the family remained resilient, which later spurred Abubakar to pursue a diploma in Crime Prevention Management and Control. As he studied, Abubakar realized that cattle rustling was a widespread issue. Many families across settlements in northeastern Nigeria shared his family’s plight.
“The hope for a better living among these victims diminished. Some of them couldn’t try new stints as they were used to only rearing cattle,” Abubakar said.
Determined to find a solution, Abubakar began research that led him to discover the weaknesses in the criminal justice system, which left victims with little recourse. “I tried joining the security forces numerous times, but my efforts were unsuccessful,” he recounted.
Cattle rustling is a complex issue with deep roots, fueled by a confluence of poverty, competition for scarce resources, and historical grievances between herder and farmer communities. A 2019 report by the International Crisis Group highlights that the situation is dire due to the militias attacking people and new laws in some states banning open grazing of cattle. The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GITOC) further explores this aspect in its January 2023 publication. It mentions how cattle rustling led to thousands of deaths, causing large-scale displacement of communities and the destruction of livelihoods.
As time went on, Abubakar felt a calling to establish a nonprofit organization that would respond to these problems. In 2019, he pooled a team of young people in Jimeta and registered the Fulani Care and Support Foundation. This foundation, born from the collective efforts of public-spirited individuals from diverse faiths, ethnicities, and regions across Nigeria, aimed to address the root causes of cattle rustling and create a more peaceful future for Fulani communities.
“Our first effort involved debunking the stereotypes painted on the Fulani people across the country which associates them with terrorism and banditry,” Abubakar explained.
This foundation welcomes not only Fulani people but also different ethnic groups. This is because Abubakar sees immense value in fostering understanding between a wide range of cultures. He also believes that by raising awareness about Fulani customs and traditions, the stereotypes can be minimized while communities work together towards common ground.
Educating Fulani children
Along with raising awareness and giving opportunities to Fulani communities in Nigeria, the Fulani Care and Support Foundation also started makeshift schools for children. These schools are not fancy buildings, but they provide a place for Fulani children between 7 and 12 years old to learn.
The foundation believes that education is the best way to stop violence. They reason that children who receive formal education are more likely to grow up to be good citizens and impact their communities positively.
Finding teachers to volunteer wasn’t easy, but Abubakar managed to persuade a few people. He explained how important it is to educate the children. One dedicated volunteer, Luka Yusuf, is a teacher who loves his job. “I’m proud to call myself a teacher. I really enjoy teaching children,” said the 29-year-old.
The learning spaces were set up in both Adamawa State and Abuja, The space in Jabi offers classes for 3 days every week for about 50 students. Today, Luka and the rest of the teachers are committing their free time to teach mathematics, English, basic science, and civic education.
Jibrin Salisu, a parent whose children are enrolled in the makeshift school, emphasized the transformative impact of the initiative, stating, “Prior to this, our children have never received any formal education.” His words reflect the dire lack of educational opportunities in the settlement, which lacks proper school buildings and relies solely on a Tsangaya (Qur’anic learning centre) that has stood for decades. Despite this, the introduction of the makeshift school has instilled hope for a brighter future for the children.
One of the students, Aisha Jibrin, expressed gratitude, saying, “I never thought I’d get the chance to learn like this.” Similarly, another student named Muhammad remarked, “It’s like a dream come true for us. We finally have a chance to learn and build a better future. But there should be lots of improvements.”
The establishment of the makeshift school has had a profound impact on the settlement. Not only has it provided formal education for children who previously had none, but it has also ignited hope within the community.
The Fulani Care and Support Foundation isn’t alone in its efforts. Similar programs are popping up all over Nigeria. One school in Borno State is educating Fulani children displaced by the Boko Haram conflicts. Another organization in Taraba State is educating Fulani children in rural communities.
Challenges and hope
Abubakar acknowledged that the foundation faces significant hurdles in making a wider reach because the teachers often make personal sacrifices to keep the makeshift schools running. Another challenge is the lack of proper classrooms. In the meantime, the pupils are divided into groups based on age and ability level.
“With the recent inflation in the country, we are finding it difficult to run classes 3 days a week. These days, we mostly go there once a week because we are far from the settlement,” Abubakar shared.
Abubakar further stated that they are working on building more collaborations to help sustain the learning centers. Amidst the difficulties, there are glimmers of hope. “We appreciate God that some of our pupils are adopting what they are taught in class. That’s the major thing in learning,” Luka said.
This story was produced for the African Change Narrative Storytellers Fellowship with support from the Africa Foundation for Young Media Professionals and Africa No Filter.
