CAN condemns ‘Ramadan’ school closures, threatens legal action

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has strongly criticised the decision by the governments of Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi states to shut down schools for Ramadan, warning that it threatens education and national unity.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, described the move as discriminatory and a violation of the rights of non-Muslim students. He warned that the association might seek legal redress if the directive was not reversed.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics indicates that the affected states already have some of the highest rates of out-of-school children, with Bauchi at 54%, Kebbi at 45%, Katsina at 38%, and Kano at 35%. CAN expressed concerns that the prolonged school closures would further worsen the educational crisis in the North.

“Education is a fundamental right and the bedrock of progress,” Okoh stated. “The closure of schools across these states, from nursery to tertiary levels, for an extended period disrupts academic schedules and threatens the educational advancement of millions of students.”

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The association also criticised the lack of consultation before implementing the policy, arguing that even Islamic-majority nations do not suspend education for Ramadan. Okoh pointed to countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, where schools remain open with adjusted schedules during the fasting period.

“Globally, nations where Islam is central and Ramadan is deeply revered do not shut down schools entirely. Instead, they adopt flexible schedules to balance religious observance with education,” Okoh noted. “A month-long closure, or five weeks in Bauchi’s case, is excessive and unjustified.”

CAN called on Governors Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Dikko Umar Radda (Katsina), Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), and Nasir Idris (Kebbi) to engage stakeholders in constructive dialogue to resolve the issue. It emphasised that interfaith harmony should not be compromised by policies that exclude or marginalise certain groups.

“Transparency is essential, and we expect these governments to act in good faith by promptly engaging all parties,” Okoh stated. “The education of our children and the unity of our states are at stake. If these rights face further jeopardy, CAN is prepared to seek legal recourse.”

CAN urged residents in the affected states to remain calm, calling for unity and cooperation in addressing the situation.

“We must work together to build a society where faith and progress harmonise, where no child’s education is compromised, and where every community feels valued,” the statement concluded.