Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has launched a scathing attack on northern Nigerian leaders, accusing them of shutting down public schools during Ramadan while sending their own children to elite private institutions in Abuja and overseas—funded by public resources meant for Nigeria’s struggling education sector.
Sowore’s outburst follows a wave of criticism against state governments in Bauchi, Katsina, Kebbi, and Kano, which ordered schools to close for the fasting period. He condemned the decision as “irresponsible and wicked,” arguing that the political elite remains unaffected by the policy while ordinary Nigerians bear the brunt of the consequences.
Taking to his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Sowore minced no words:
> “Those ignoramuses who decided to shut down schools during Ramadan fasting do not have their own children enrolled in these economically disadvantaged public schools. Their children or wards attend schools overseas or high-end private schools in Abuja, supported by funds designated for the education of socioeconomically challenged students (the poor) in these run-down schools, which do not close for Ramadan fasting. Irresponsible and wicked leaders! #RevolutionNow.”
His statement comes amid growing concerns over the worsening state of education in northern Nigeria, where illiteracy rates remain alarmingly high. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the states enforcing these closures—Katsina, Kebbi, Kano, and Bauchi—are among those with the highest numbers of out-of-school children, with Bauchi leading at 54%.
Sowore, known for his unapologetic stance on governance failures, further lambasted the governors, calling their decision “ignorant” and “idiotic.” He questioned why Nigeria, a secular nation, would allow religious considerations to interfere with education, especially when even Islamic nations like Saudi Arabia keep their schools open during Ramadan.
> “Saudi Arabia, where everybody is headed for lesser Hajj—did they close down their schools? You see, those are ignorant Muslims. Basically, let me put it straight: they are idiots.”
Sowore’s outrage aligns with the position of Nigeria’s Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad, who also slammed the state governments for the move. She emphasized that no religious doctrine mandates school closures during Ramadan, pointing out that in Muslim-majority nations like Saudi Arabia, schools remain in session throughout the fasting period.
Katsina Government Defends School Closure, Targets Private Schools
Despite the backlash, the Katsina State government has doubled down on its decision, extending the school closure policy to private institutions, warning that any non-compliant schools would face consequences.
Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other education advocates have decried the policy as discriminatory and counterproductive, arguing that it further marginalizes northern children who are already struggling to access quality education.
Sowore: “No Religious Imposition Under My Leadership”
Vowing to put an end to religious interference in governance, Sowore declared that under his leadership, no state government would be allowed to impose religious policies on education.
> “When I become President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the states will have no business with religion. I can’t be President and you come and close down schools because of fasting.”
His remarks have reignited the debate on the intersection of religion, education, and governance in Nigeria, with many calling for a policy shift to prioritize learning over religious sentiment.
With northern Nigeria already battling high poverty, insecurity, and an education crisis, critics argue that shutting down schools for religious reasons is a direct attack on the future of the region’s children—a crisis that only benefits the political elite whose children continue to receive uninterrupted, world-class education at the expense of the poor.
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