The Supreme Council of the Islamic Commission of Nigeria (SCSN) defended the decision of some state governments to close primary and secondary schools during Ramadan, citing concerns about the well-being of students under extreme caloric conditions in parts of the north. In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, the Council urged states such as Zamfara, Sokoto and Jigawa to follow suit, stressing that the move prioritizes students’ health and religious compliance.
SCSN rejected objections raised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and asserted that the state government has the right to set school schedules. “This decision ensures continuous learning while preventing students from staying idle for a long time. The statement said it was carefully reviewed by the respective ministries of education and was widely welcomed by parents.”
The Council also criticized the threat of shutting down legal or industrial actions across the school, saying they were unnecessary and an insult to the authority of the state. “What is confusing is that when the extended ASUU strike ruined the entire academic program, it is confusing that there has been a temporary, structured adjustment now that only 25 class hours have been opposed.”
The Council cites the Education Act of January 1, 1964, stressing that the Governor has the exclusive right to set school holidays in the state of Kogi where the law does not apply. SCSN insists that CAN is not a stakeholder in education policies in the northern states, noting that no government must seek external recognition before deciding on decisions that affect schools.
The Council praised the foresight of the affected state government to prioritize student welfare and urged other northern states to take similar measures. It further calls on all stakeholders to respect the decisions of the state government and to avoid intervention in policies that directly affect students and their families.
