Many scholars, historically, are also credited with the spread of Islam in the Northern States. In contemporary times, an arguably larger percentage of scholars are continuing in the tradition of teaching about Islam.
In the dusty town of Damaturu, the state capital of Yobe, an hour away from Borno State from which it was carved, Mallam Umar Zakariya Umar calmly teaches young children Islamic studies most evenings. Children of all ages walk from across the neighborhood dressed in white and brown uniform or every day clothes arriving towards an unfinished house. A colorful sight, they rush in and take a seat on a demarcated section filled with books and pens. In this allocated seating area, are an array of Allo; the traditional writing board for Islamic schools.