The Child and Child Education in the Works of Abdullah b. Fodio

Authors : Ifeoluwa Siddiq Oyelamı

Pages : 236-255

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Publication Date : 2025-09-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This article examines the conception of the child and the principles of child education in the works of Abdullah b. Fodio (d. 1245/1829), one of the foremost intellectual figures of the Sokoto Caliphate, which corresponds to present-day northern Nigeria. While Islamic education in Africa has received considerable scholarly attention, less focus has been directed toward individual thinkers from Bilād al-Sūdān who articulated distinctive educational philosophies. Employing a qualitative, library-based methodology and a descriptive-analytical approach, this study engages in a close reading of Ibn Fodio’s writings to explore his views on the nature of the child, the rights owed to children, the responsibilities of parents and teachers, and the appropriate methods of instruction and discipline. It further examines his conception of formal education as a structured process with a distinct curriculum. The analysis reveals that Ibn Fodio’s educational vision was firmly rooted in the classical Islamic pedagogy. He envisaged child education as developing across three distinct stages—early childhood, the age of discernment, and maturity—each requiring tailored approaches and content. Moreover, he emphasised the balance between affection and corrective discipline, warning against excessive harshness while advocating compassion. Notably, his endorsement of reinforcement, both positive and corrective, bears resemblance to modern social learning theories. The study also looks into Ibn Fodio’s perspectives on the balance between play and work, as well as gender bias in education. By appraising these insights, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of educational theory in precolonial West Africa and recovers the voice of a Muslim African scholar whose ideas retain enduring relevance to contemporary debates on child development and moral education.
Keywords : İslam eğitimi, Çocuk eğitimi, Sosyal öğrenme, Biladü’s-Sudân, Abdullah b. Fodio, Sokoto Devleti, Ahlak Eğitimi

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