The holy month of Ramadan is a sacred time of fasting and devotion for Muslims. However, the decision by some Northern state governors to shut down schools during this period has sparked widespread debate and criticism.
States Enforcing School Closures for Ramadan
- Katsina State: The Hisbah board ordered the closure of all private schools throughout Ramadan. Commander-General Aminu Usman warned that non-compliance would not be tolerated.
- Bauchi State: Authorities announced a five-week school closure, aligning with a revised academic calendar that now includes an extended break during Ramadan.
- Kebbi State: The 2024/2025 academic calendar was adjusted, with the second term ending on February 28, 2025, and the Ramadan break starting on March 1, 2025.
- Borno State: The Ministry of Education directed primary and secondary schools to close at 12:00 PM daily during Ramadan.
Backlash from CAN and Nigerians
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) strongly opposed these decisions. Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN’s President, described the blanket closure of schools during Ramadan as counterproductive, warning that it could:
- Disrupt academic calendars
- Increase the number of out-of-school children in Northern states
CAN also pointed out that even in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where Islam is deeply rooted, schools remain open during Ramadan. The question then arises: Are these governors “holier than the Pope”?
Public Reactions and Concerns
- A social media user on X (formerly Twitter) described the decision as “religious stupidity on display.”
- Another raised concerns about the ₦8 billion allocated for school feeding during Ramadan, questioning where these funds will now go.
- Some locals, however, supported the decision, claiming it aligns with their cultural and religious values.
Just look at this:
In Saudi Arabia the holy land of Islam,
The government is NOT closing schools for Ramadan. They only modify the school times so kids’ education never suffers.But in Katsina,
The govt, through Hisbah, is closing down schools.Religious stupidity on display. pic.twitter.com/aI4LKh5r1P
— #OurFavOnlineDoc 🩺 🇬🇧 (@OurFavOnlineDoc) February 28, 2025
No amount of public cry will reverse the decision of Bauchi state And Kebbi state governments about school closure during the month of Ramadan. We the citizens of Bauchi have no issue with it. Y’all can focus on your various states’ issues
— محمد (@bariouz0) March 2, 2025
Dear Christians;
This doesn’t concern you, to u is ur religion and ways of life, and to us is our religion (it’s our way of life).
It’s not Only Bauchi that closes school because of Ramadan, Kano and other states also closed school for the whole month.— Truth Teller(Tasiu Bn Jibril ابو أحمد ) تاسع جبريل (@tajham) March 1, 2025
Legal & Social Implications
- Does the government have the legal right to enforce such closures?
- Can CAN take legal action to challenge this directive?
- If Sharia law is only for Muslims, why should school closures affect non-Muslims living in these states?
This decision sets a troubling precedent. If schools must close for Ramadan, should the same apply to offices, hospitals, banks, and markets? Or does this policy selectively target education?
As debates rage on, one critical question remains: Does this move Nigeria forward or backward? Should religion and governance remain separate, or should everyone simply focus on their faith and let the government decide?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments!