The Education of Lantana

 

The Education of Lantana

"The Education of Lantana" is about a bright Muslim girl who boldly refused child marriage in northern Nigeria and appealed to go to school. She won her appeal by saying that Shehu Usman dan Fodio (15 December 1754 – 20 April 1817) , the Fulani scholar, Islamic religious teacher, poet, revolutionary and a philosopher who founded the Sokoto Caliphate and ruled as its first caliph supported the education of his beloved daughter, Princess Nana Asmaʼu. And how she started her teachers (Jajis) who travelled throughout the Caliphate educating women in the students' homes. In turn, each of these Jajis used Nana Asma’u's and other Sufi scholars writings, usually through recited mnemonics and poetry, to train crops of learned women, called the ’Yan-taru', or those who congregate together, the sisterhood.

Lantana said that Islam emphasized that the education of girls is a fundamental duty and an equal right for both males and females. A mandatory duty, because seeking knowledge is a sacred obligation for every Muslim, regardless of gender, as taught by Prophet Muhammad, under the protection of human intellect (al-Aql), enabling both men and women to make sound moral choices and understand their faith: that educated girls grow into knowledgeable mothers and community pillars who guide future generations.

"We are the mothers of nations."

Prophet Muhammad actively encouraged the education of women, setting aside dedicated days to teach them religious commandments and Aisha, the Prophet's youngest wife was among the major authorities in Islamic jurisprudence, narrating thousands of hadiths and teaching prominent male companions. 

The Imam of the mosque; the Alaramma of the madrasa and Shu'aban Makaranta of their Islamiyya school who were impressed by Lantana's Qur'anic memorization (Hifz) of the Surah Al-Baqarah, the second and longest chapter of the Quran, containing 286 verses supported her appeal and allowed her to return to school and not to be forced to marry.

The world premiere is for the celebration of the United Nations' International Day for the Girl Child on October 11, 2026 for the promotion of the campaign for the education of the millions of underprivileged girls out of school in northern Nigeria.