Ramadan school closure: Islamic council dismisses CAN’s threat

The Supreme Council for Shari’a in Nigeria (SCSN) has defended the decision of some northern state governments to shut down primary and secondary schools during Ramadan, citing concerns over students’ well-being amid extreme heat.

In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, the council urged states like Zamfara, Sokoto, and Jigawa to implement similar measures, emphasizing that prioritizing students’ health and religious obligations is essential.

SCSN rejected criticisms from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and certain non-governmental organizations (NGOs), arguing that state governments have full autonomy over school schedules.

“This move ensures that learning continues in a structured manner without leaving students idle for long periods. The decision was carefully reviewed by the Ministries of Education and widely supported by parents,” the statement read.

The council also dismissed threats of legal or industrial action against the school closures, calling them unwarranted and an infringement on state authority.

“It is perplexing that CAN, which remained silent during prolonged ASUU strikes that disrupted entire academic sessions, is now opposing a temporary adjustment of just 25 school days,” SCSN stated.

Citing the Education Law of January 1, 1964, the council reaffirmed that state governors have exclusive rights to determine school holidays, except in Kogi State, where the law does not apply.

SCSN insisted that CAN has no role in shaping education policies in northern states and that no government is required to seek external approval for school-related decisions.

Commending the affected states for prioritizing students’ welfare, the council urged other northern states to adopt similar measures and called on all stakeholders to respect state authorities’ decisions without interference.