Key points:
- Four northern states shut schools for Ramadan observance
- Education union, students, and Christian groups condemn move
- Cr
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itics warn of discrimination and legal action against states
FOUR predominantly Muslim states in northern Nigeria have ordered the closure of schools for the holy month of Ramadan, a move that has triggered backlash from education unions, students, and Christian groups. The decision by Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, and Kebbi state governments was announced last week, abruptly shutting schools mid-term to allow pupils to observe Ramadan fasting at home, AFP reported.
Unprecedented school closures draw criticism
While schools in northern Nigeria typically remain open during Ramadan to maintain the academic calendar, officials in these states ordered all primary and secondary schools to shut down until April 7. The Kano State education ministry stated that students would have just two weeks to conclude the term and complete their exams upon reopening.
The closures have drawn strong opposition from the National Association of N
igerian Students (NANS), which called the decision discriminatory and harmful to academic progress. In a statement on Monday, NANS threatened nationwide protests if the closures were not reversed, arguing that they set a dangerous precedent by prioritising religious observances over education.
‘This decision disrupts learning, unfairly targets non-Muslim students, and undermines academic progress,’ the union said.
Religious tensions and political motivations
Adding to the controversy, Aminu Usman, head of Katsina’s Hisbah morality police, issued a directive pressuring private schools to also close for Ramadan, warning that ‘non-compliance will not be tolerated.’
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is religiously diverse, with the Muslim-majority north and Christian-majority south often experiencing sectarian tensions. Critics argue that some northern states, which adopted Sharia law over the past two decades, use religious policies to gain political support among conservative voters.
Christian groups threaten legal action
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) also condemned the school closures, calling them a violation of students’ rights. In a statement over the weekend, CAN warned that if the decision was not reversed, legal action would be taken against the four states.
‘This move threatens the educational future of millions of students and sets a worrying precedent for religious bias in governance,’ CAN said.
So far, none of the affected states have responded publicly to the growing criticism. However, with protests looming and legal battles threatened, the issue is likely to escalate in the coming weeks.
