Impact of Child Labour Practices on the Well -Being of Almajirai Children in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Nigeria

Child labour remains a persistent global social problem. While existing studies often generalize its causes primarily linking it to poverty and economic deprivation while overlooking the influence of socio-cultural factors. This study therefore examines how cultural and religious entrenched systems, such as the Almajiri system, wherein children pursue Qur'anic education but encounter exploitation, neglect and intentional abuse due to weak institutional oversight. The sample size of the study consisted of 356 almajiri children. Closed ended questionnaire and key informant interviews were used as the primary instruments of data collection. Data collected through the questionnaire were analyzed quantitatively using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 while data from key informant interview were analyzed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s approach. Findings from the study showed that there was high prevalence of child labour among almajirai children. The study also observed that poverty and religious beliefs reinforce each other in promoting child labour among almajiri children. The pattern of work almajirai children engaged in were hawking on the streets, domestic work and working on people’s farms. Many of the Almajirai children that engaged in child labour suffered from injuries, physical and emotional abuse. The paper recommends that parents, religious/ traditional leaders be sensitized on the need to encourage almajirai to enroll in formal education and Government should provide small business loans and farming support to parents to address the problem of poverty.