Reno Omokri Urges Christian Groups to Accept School Closures for Ramadan
Public commentator and former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has called on Christian groups in Nigeria to refrain from opposing the temporary closure of schools in some Northern states during the ongoing Ramadan fasting.
In a statement shared on his Instagram page, Omokri argued that challenging the decision could trigger retaliatory actions from Islamic groups, as Nigeria has historically had more school closures benefiting Christian holidays than Islamic ones.
He highlighted that Nigerian schools observe breaks for Easter, Christmas, and New Year, following a school calendar shaped by British colonial influence. Despite this, he noted that Muslims in the country have continued to abide by these schedules without protest.
“In Nigeria, Monday through Friday is a work and school day, favouring Christendom, yet Muslims abide by it. Throughout the Islamic world, Friday is a work and school-free day, while Sunday is a work and school day. But in Nigeria, it is the reverse,” Omokri stated.
He further emphasized that primary, secondary, and tertiary education falls under the concurrent legislative list of the Nigerian Constitution, meaning state governments have the authority to adjust academic calendars as they deem fit.
Omokri advised Christian organizations, particularly the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), to approach the issue through appeals rather than threats, urging them to uphold a Christlike attitude in fostering religious harmony.
He also pointed out that in certain parts of Nigeria, schools remain closed for 54 Mondays annually due to socio-political reasons, yet little action has been taken to challenge this.