The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the governors of Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi states, demanding the reversal of their decision to close schools for five weeks during the Ramadan period. NANS National Public Relations Officer, Samson Adeyemi, criticized the policy as a violation of students’ rights to uninterrupted education and warned that failure to revoke the decision would result in nationwide student protests.
Adeyemi emphasized that the prolonged closure would disrupt academic progress and unfairly discriminate against students of other faiths. He also mentioned that NANS is prepared to explore legal avenues if the state governments do not comply with their demands. The association called on parents, educators, and civil society organizations to join in resisting the policy, highlighting the negative impact such closures could have on students’ academic performance.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has also condemned the school closures, describing them as counterproductive. CAN President Daniel Okoh expressed concerns that the decision would exacerbate the already high rates of out-of-school children in the region, which currently averages 44%. He noted that in countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, schools remain open with adjusted schedules during Ramadan, suggesting that a similar approach could be adopted in Nigeria.
CAN further criticized the lack of broad consultation with stakeholders before implementing the closures and warned that if inclusive solutions are not reached, they may pursue legal action to protect students’ constitutional rights to education and freedom of conscience. The association called for dialogue involving religious leaders, educators, and parents to reassess the policy, emphasizing the importance of fairness and national cohesion.
