Online Quran and Arabic Classes in Nigeria: Learning Beyond the Local Islamiyya

Online Quran and Arabic Classes in Nigeria: Learning Beyond the Local Islamiyya
Online Quran and Arabic Classes in Nigeria: Learning Beyond the Local Islamiyya
⏱ 4 min read
In this article
  1. The Time Difference
  2. What Online Classes Add to Islamiyya Learning
  3. Arabic for Nigerian Students
  4. Tajweed Points to Work On
  5. Learning Paths
  6. A Sample Plan for a Hafiz in Kano
  7. A Sample Plan for a Family in Lagos
  8. For University Students
  9. Prices and Payment
  10. About the Teachers
  11. Start with a Free Trial Class
  12. Frequently Asked Questions

Many Nigerian Muslims grow up attending Islamiyya school, where they learn to read the Quran and often memorize large parts of it. Online one-to-one classes with a teacher who holds an Ijazah can build on that foundation: refining Tajweed, keeping memorization strong, learning Arabic to understand the Quran, and for some, working toward an Ijazah. Nigeria is only 1 to 2 hours behind Cairo, so classes fit easily into the day.

The Time Difference

Nigeria uses West Africa Time all year. Cairo is 1 hour ahead of Nigeria in winter and 2 hours ahead in summer. Classes run 24/7. Common slots:

Nigeria timeCairo in winterWho it suits
6:00 AM7:00 AMHifz revision after Fajr
4:30 PM5:30 PMChildren after school
8:30 PM9:30 PMWorking adults and university students
Saturday 10:00 AM11:00 AMWeekend learners

What Online Classes Add to Islamiyya Learning

  • Detailed Tajweed: a one-to-one teacher corrects each letter and rule on every line you read.
  • Revision with a listener: huffaz recite their revision to the teacher, so weak parts are found and fixed.
  • Understanding: Arabic classes help students understand the words they have memorized.
  • An Ijazah path: for strong reciters, reciting the whole Quran to a teacher with a connected Sanad.
  • Flexible times: classes around school, university, work and family.

Arabic for Nigerian Students

Arabic has a long history in Nigerian Islamic learning, and many students can read Arabic script well but want to understand and speak it. The Arabic for adults and Arabic for kids courses build vocabulary, grammar and conversation step by step, with explanations in English. Learning Arabic alongside the Quran makes memorization more meaningful, because students recognize the words they recite.

Tajweed Points to Work On

  • Throat letters: ع, ح, غ and خ, each from its correct place.
  • Heavy and light letters: ص, ض, ط, ظ and ق read heavy; other letters kept light.
  • Similar sounds: ث and س, ذ and ز, ض and ظ.
  • Madd and ghunnah: correct lengths, held consistently.
  • Stopping and starting: pausing where the meaning is complete.

The recitation and Tajweed course covers these in order.

Learning Paths

  1. Beginners: the Noor Al-Bayan course, for children from 6 years old and adults.
  2. Tajweed: refining recitation.
  3. Hifz: new memorization and revision in online Hifz classes.
  4. Ijazah: an Ijazah in Hafs from Asim, $100 paid once.
  5. Ten Qiraat: Sughra and Kubra, for advanced students.

A Sample Plan for a Hafiz in Kano

A student who memorized the whole Quran at Islamiyya might take 16 classes a month, Monday to Thursday at 6:00 AM. In each class, the student recites a fixed revision portion while the teacher corrects Tajweed. Every month, the progress report shows which juz are strong and which need more work. When recitation is consistently accurate, the student can begin the Ijazah path.

A Sample Plan for a Family in Lagos

  • Two children (7 and 10): reading and Tajweed, Tuesday and Thursday at 4:30 PM, back to back.
  • Mother: Tajweed with a female teacher, Saturday and Sunday mornings.
  • Father: Arabic for adults, two evenings a week.

Each person has their own one-to-one plan, and a 10% family discount applies.

For University Students

Many Nigerian university students want to keep their Quran strong during busy semesters. A realistic plan is 8 classes a month at a fixed time, such as 8:30 PM twice a week, with short daily revision. During exams, keep at least one class a week rather than stopping completely; during breaks, add more classes to catch up.

Prices and Payment

  • $5 per 30-minute one-to-one class.
  • $40 a month for 8 classes, or $80 for 16.
  • 20% off annual plans; a 10% family discount.
  • A free trial class with no payment.

Prices are in US dollars. Payment is by PayPal, Visa, Mastercard or bank transfer. Card limits for international payments vary between Nigerian banks, so check with your bank before you subscribe.

About the Teachers

All teachers are certified from Al-Azhar University and hold an Ijazah with a connected Sanad. Classes are taught in English, Arabic and French, not in Hausa or Yoruba. Female teachers are available; see our women’s program. Elbayan Academy is an independent online academy based in Cairo, with no office in Nigeria.

Families who read Warsh can also see online Warsh Quran classes for kids.

Start with a Free Trial Class

Elbayan Academy teaches one-to-one, 30-minute online classes with certified teachers from Al-Azhar University, each holding an Ijazah with a connected Sanad. Female teachers are available, classes run 24/7, and you receive a monthly progress report. Plans are $40 a month for 8 classes or $80 for 16. Book a free trial class on WhatsApp.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the time difference between Nigeria and Cairo?

Cairo is 1 hour ahead of Nigeria in winter and 2 hours ahead in summer.

I studied at Islamiyya. Are online classes still useful?

Yes. One-to-one classes help with detailed Tajweed, revision with a teacher listening, learning Arabic, and the path to an Ijazah.

Are classes taught in Hausa or Yoruba?

No. Classes are taught in English, Arabic and French.

Can I pay from Nigeria?

Payment is by PayPal, Visa, Mastercard or bank transfer in US dollars. Check with your bank that your card allows international payments.

How much does an Ijazah cost?

The Ijazah in Hafs from Asim costs $100, paid once, alongside a monthly class plan.

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