From Dawn to Dusk: A Day in the Life of an Almajiri Child in Runji, Zuba (Part 2)By Anthony EzeRUNJI, ZUBA, ABUJA —
This report is a follow-up to our earlier story on Almajiri children in Runji, Zuba, which examined community perspectives on the issue. Read Part 1 here: https://tfreshcivicvoice.blogspot.com/2026/04/left-to-streets-inside-struggles-of.html The first light of dawn had barely touched the dusty roads of Gwagwalada when Musa stepped out, a small plastic bowl in his hand and uncertainty in his eyes. At 16, his mornings do not begin with school bells or breakfast at home. They begin with movement, walking from street to street, hoping for kindness, hoping for food, hoping to make it through another day. “I go out early so I can find something before the sun becomes too hot,” he said quietly. For Musa, this is not occasional hardship. It is routine. Around him, other boys begin to stir. Some whisper softly. Others remain curled up, holding onto sleep for a few more minutes before the day begins. By sunrise, Musa is seated before his Mallam, reciting verses of the Qur’an in a low, rhythmic t...