₦airaland Forum

The Christian Association of Nigeria has issued an ultimatum to the governments of Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi states, demanding the reversal of their directives mandating a five-week closure of schools for the Ramadan fast.

CAN described the move as discriminatory and a violation of the rights of non-Muslim students, warning that it would pursue legal action if the orders were not rescinded.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, CAN President, Daniel Okoh, criticized the policy, highlighting its potential to worsen the educational crisis in the affected states, which already account for 44% of Nigeria’s out-of-school children.

“Education is a fundamental right and the bedrock of progress,” Okoh stated.

“The closure of schools across these states, ranging from nursery to tertiary levels, for an extended period disrupts academic schedules and threatens the educational advancement of millions of students.”

He added that the decision lacked transparency and failed to involve broad consultations with stakeholders, including Christian leaders, educators, and parents.

“Policies impacting diverse populations—Muslims, Christians, and others—demand transparent, inclusive dialogue with parents, educators, religious leaders, and school proprietors.

“The absence of such engagement erodes trust and unity in our pluralistic society,” Okoh remarked.

Citing examples from predominantly Islamic nations like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the CAN President argued that Nigeria should adopt pragmatic measures that balance religious observance with education.

“Globally, nations like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates—where Islam is central and Ramadan deeply revered—do not shut down schools for the entire fasting period.

“Instead, they adapt schedules, shortening hours or offering flexibility, to balance education with religious practice. A month-long closure, or five weeks in Bauchi’s case, is excessive and departs from sensible precedent,” Okoh said.

CAN emphasised that it remains committed to interfaith harmony but would not tolerate policies that undermine constitutional rights.

The association 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.

“Transparency is essential, and we expect these governments to act in good faith by promptly engaging all parties.

“The education of our children and the unity of our states are at stake. Should these rights face further jeopardy or dialogue fail to deliver justice, CAN is prepared to seek legal recourse,” Okoh warned.

CAN concluded with an appeal for calm among residents of the affected states, urging unity and cooperation to ensure no child’s education is compromised.

“Let us unite as Nigerians to forge a society where faith and progress harmonize, where no child’s education is compromised, and where every community is valued,” the statement read.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/can-threatens-legal-action-over-ramadan-school-closures-in-northern-states/%3famp

Northern Nigeria is a mess..

Why must be christian students be affected in the first place?. Meanwhile, these Governors have their kids in schools abroad.


-Kiss the truth!

These people are gone.

Way to go.
It was a senseless policy.
I was surprised the governors didn't also give the civil servants 5 weeks break for fasting
to ease the stress as they claimed.

Well, everyone can clearly see that "Sharia for muslims only" is a lie to hoodwink the gullible.

I still don't know why school should close down because of fasting. What about Quranic and Islamic schools?

CAN should rest and stop overstretching this matter.

Nigeria belongs to everyone. You have every Sunday to enjoy your service while Friday peoples goes to work/school.

School close for every December and resume in January for you to celebrate Christmas.

CAN that have been politicalized!

some weeks back this same CAN in Northern Nigeria stand with M-M ticket, what you should be condemning from now till 2027 is what you are standing for. Now they closed all schools because of Ramadan under sharia law, so enjoy what you stand for!

It's the audacity of these northern muslims for me.



Tufiakwa!

Very Good. The closure of school is abuse to the Student's fundamental human rights.

Just in case you are not aware, there are millions of indigenous Christians in Bauchi State.

The Children of these politicians are in the UK and US enjoying quality uninterrupted education weather Summer or Winter

Idiotic fools.
These religious fanatical fools should shut up.
I'm against closing schools for Ramadan but if that's what they desire, who the hell is CAN to tell them otherwise?

Don't we close schools and businesses on Sunday for you to go to church? Who says that schools must close on Sundays?
It's all due to Judeo Christian thinking that Nigeria inherited from the British system.
We can change that also.

Hmmm…please let’s be fair, if Anambra state governor and some other southern governors refer their states as a Christian State, I see nothing wrong with the northern governors observing Ramadan in the best appropriate manner they seem best for the Islamic community, CAN should just know when to keep quiet and stay away from what’s not their business especially if government granted those holidays.

From my understanding northern Nigeria and many northern states are Islamic states , despite those states having Christians it’s an Islamic state because that’s the paramount religion there.

I see nothing wrong here, it’s not one month that will make a dull student pass or a bright student fail

We are living with rams.... Sharing this country is the only way out. All these Abokis keep dragging us backward.

why shut down schools for crying out load

This is unprecedented.

Globally, nations like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates,
Where Islam is central and Ramadan deeply revered do not shut down schools for the entire fasting period.
Instead,
They adapt schedules, shortening hours or offering flexibility, to balance education with religious practice. A month-long closure, or five weeks in Bauchi’s case, is excessive and departs from sensible thinking 🤔

Book is haram. Reno Om0nkey and his demons of babablu support closure of all schools in northern Nigeria to celebrate Ramadan.

This is to tell you how much some people value education.

Lol. A whole schools closure! But here in south west, these same people won't allow Muslim school girls to wear hijab in public school despite being in conformity with the Nigerian constitution. Una don see bully wey big pass una, dem lock your kids out of school till Ramadan ending

TimeManager:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/can-threatens-legal-action-over-ramadan-school-closures-in-northern-states/%3famp

If they where comfortable with sit at home in the south then they lost their case also why will Muslim students observe rest on Sundays?

States within a region battling with millions of out of school children dey gather mind close down schools for weeks.

Lol, make Una close too during lent

madridguy:
CAN should rest and stop overstretching this matter.

Nigeria belongs to everyone. You have every Sunday to enjoy your service while Friday peoples goes to work/school.

School close for every December and resume in January for you to celebrate Christmas.

Janj@weed terr0r. Dey yarn babablu.

All these supporters of terrorists that are against Israel.

TimeManager:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/can-threatens-legal-action-over-ramadan-school-closures-in-northern-states/%3famp

It's necessary....these miscreant keep dragging north backward

IPIGSRSHALLOW:
Idiotic fools.
These religious fanatical fools should shut up.
I'm against closing schools for Ramadan but if that's what they desire, who the hell is CAN to tell them otherwise?

Don't we close schools and businesses on Sunday for you to go to church? Whi says that schools must close on Sundays?
It's all due to judeo Christian thinking that Nigeria inherited from the British system.
We can change that also.

Is Sunday working day? Borrow sense nah!

Your people do go to mosque on Sunday morning for service, why not cry over that? Sunday is not meant alone for Nigerian Christians!

madridguy:
CAN should rest and stop overstretching this matter.

Nigeria belongs to everyone. You have every Sunday to enjoy your service while Friday peoples goes to work/school.

School close for every December and resume in January for you to celebrate Christmas.

But your people go to mosque on Sunday morning for asalatu, why not cry over that? Is Sunday meant alone for Christians with that?

But our Christian eastern brothers are already sitting at home since God knows when why didn't the Muslim protest in the yeast

IPIGSRSHALLOW:
Idiotic fools.
These religious fanatical fools should shut up.
I'm against closing schools for Ramadan but if that's what they desire, who the hell is CAN to tell them otherwise?

Don't we close schools and businesses on Sunday for you to go to church? Who says that schools must close on Sundays?
It's all due to Judeo Christian thinking that Nigeria inherited from the British system.
We can change that also.

Dumb...Are there only Muslims in those schools

Hummmm