CAN threatens legal action as four Northern states close schools for Ramadan
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed displeasure with the directives by the governments of Bauchi, Katsina, Kano and Kebbi states mandating the closure of all public and private schools for up to five weeks to observe the Ramadan fast, effective from late February to early April 2025.
In a statement on Sunday, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said, “While we honour the religious diversity of our nation and recognise the significance of faith, these decisions raise serious issues of equity, educational continuity, and the welfare of all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs.”
Okoh, who recognised education as a fundamental right and the bedrock of progress, lamented that 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.
Okoh pointed out that the states that issued the directives already face alarming rates of out-of-school children, averaging 44 percent according to recent data, far exceeding the national average.
He said such prolonged breaks risk deepening the crisis, undermining efforts to ensure access to quality education for all.
The CAN president lamented that the apparent lack of broad consultation in Bauchi, Katsina, Kano and Kebbi prior to the directives is troubling, adding that the CAN leadership in those states was not adequately engaged, despite claims of stakeholder involvement.
He said policies impacting diverse populations (Muslims, Christians, and others) demand transparent, inclusive dialogue with parents, educators, religious leaders, and school proprietors, stressing that the absence of such engagement erodes trust and