The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has issued a strong condemnation of the decision by the governments of Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi States to shut down both public and private schools for five weeks in observance of Ramadan. The association has warned that it may take legal action if the directive is not reversed, citing concerns over educational disruption, national unity, and constitutional rights.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh decried the closures as a major threat to education and an unfair imposition on students of diverse religious backgrounds. He emphasized that education is a fundamental right, warning that extended school closures would worsen Nigeria’s already critical out-of-school children crisis.
CAN highlighted alarming statistics, noting that the affected states already struggle with some of the highest rates of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
> “Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi already have an average out-of-school rate of 44%, well above the national average of 34%. A five-week closure will only deepen this crisis and derail efforts to provide quality education,” the statement read.
According to a review of National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data by SaharaReporters, Bauchi State has the highest percentage of children deprived of education at 54%, followed by Kebbi (45%), Katsina (38%), and Kano (35%). These figures underscore the urgent need to prioritize learning rather than impose extended academic shutdowns.
CAN also criticized the lack of broad consultation before the policy was implemented. The association revealed that Christian leaders, school proprietors, and stakeholders were not engaged before the directive was issued.
> “Policies affecting diverse populations—Muslims, Christians, and others—must be the result of inclusive dialogue. Unilateral decisions like this erode trust and deepen religious divisions in our pluralistic society,” CAN stated.
The association further pointed out that Islamic-majority nations such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE do not shut down schools for Ramadan, instead opting for adjusted schedules or flexible learning arrangements.
“If nations at the heart of Islam can balance education with religious observance, why should Nigeria’s northern states enforce an excessive five-week closure?” CAN argued.
CAN has called on the governors of Bauchi (Bala Mohammed), Katsina (Dikko Umar Radda), Kano (Abba Kabir Yusuf), and Kebbi (Nasir Idris) to urgently engage with religious leaders, school proprietors, parents, and civil society to review the directive.
The association further warned that it would seek legal intervention should the government persist in enforcing the closure.
> “Should these violations of educational and constitutional rights continue, we are prepared to seek restraining orders through the courts,” Archbishop Okoh stated.
While urging Christians, Muslims, and all residents of the affected states to remain peaceful, CAN reaffirmed its commitment to promoting religious harmony. However, it insisted that the rights of students who do not observe Ramadan must be protected.
> “Let us build a Nigeria where faith and progress harmonize, where no child’s education is sacrificed for religious observance, and where all communities feel valued. We urge the governors to reconsider these policies in the spirit of fairness and national cohesion,” CAN concluded.
The controversy deepened last week when the Katsina State Hisbah Board, the state’s Islamic morality police, ordered the closure of all private schools during Ramadan.
In a circular issued on February 27, 2025, signed by Hisbah Commandant General Aminu Usman, school proprietors were warned that failure to comply would have consequences.
> “In accordance with the Katsina State Government’s directive, all private schools are required to close during the Ramadan period to allow pupils to fully observe the holy month. This includes the suspension of extra lessons, and non-compliance will not be tolerated,” the circular read.
CAN’s intervention underscores a growing national debate on balancing religious observance with educational priorities. As tensions rise, the issue could escalate into a legal and policy battle over school governance in Nigeria.
With an already fragile education system, many are questioning why state governments would prioritize religious observance over academic continuity, especially in states already struggling with mass illiteracy.
Will the Northern governors backtrack in the face of legal threats, or will this directive stand? As the controversy unfolds, stakeholders await a resolution that will uphold both religious tolerance and the right to education.
PIONEER NEWS 