The Nigerian Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad, has criticized four northern states—Bauchi, Katsina, Kebbi, and Kano—for shutting down state-owned schools during Ramadan, arguing that the move has no religious justification and could worsen the region’s education crisis.
In a statement, Ahmad emphasized that “nowhere is it stated that schools must be closed for fasting,” noting that even in Muslim-majority countries like Saudi Arabia, schools remain open during the holy month.
“There is no religious basis for shutting down schools during Ramadan. Even in countries like Saudi Arabia, which are recognized as Muslim nations, educational institutions continue to function normally during this period,” she stated.
Bauchi, for example, leads with 54% of children lacking access to education, followed by Kebbi (45%), Katsina (38%), and Kano (35%).
Ahmad acknowledged the states’ authority over their education policies but stressed the Federal Ministry of Education’s role in advocating for decisions that prioritize learning.
“We respect the autonomy of states in managing their education systems, but we strongly believe that closing schools for Ramadan is unnecessary and detrimental to student learning. Our role is to engage in constructive dialogue with the states and advocate for policies that prioritize education,” she said.
Speaking on a Channels TV program on Tuesday, the minister urged the state governments to reconsider their decision, warning that the prolonged closure could result in a significant loss of learning time.
She also revealed that the Federal Ministry of Education had initiated discussions with the affected states to reopen the schools, although it has no direct control over state-owned
The decision to shut down schools during Ramadan has sparked widespread debate, with critics arguing that it exacerbates the education crisis in northern Nigeria, a region already grappling with high poverty and illiteracy rates.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) condemned the move, calling it “counterproductive, discriminatory, and a violation of the rights of non-Muslim students.” CAN further warned that suspending academic activities for five weeks could deepen the educational gap in the region.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Nigeria had about 18.3 million out-of-school children as of 2024. Education experts fear that policies such as these could push the numbers even higher.
Despite the criticism, the affected states appear resolute. Katsina State recently extended its directive to private schools, instructing them to also close during Ramadan.
In a circular issued by the state’s Hisbah Board, authorities warned that non-compliance would lead to consequences.
“In accordance with the Katsina State Government’s directive, all private schools are required to close during the Ramadan period to allow pupils to fully observe the holy month,” the statement read.
Bauchi State implemented a similar measure, mandating a five-week school closure from February 26 to April 5, covering both Ramadan and the Salah celebration.
Education advocates and parents have expressed growing frustration over the closures, arguing that religious observance should not come at the expense of children’s education.
However, state officials maintain that the decision aligns with the religious and cultural values of the predominantly Muslim population..