Nigeria’s Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad, has strongly criticized the decision of four northern states—Bauchi, Katsina, Kebbi, and Kano—to shut down schools during the Ramadan fasting period.
She described the move as detrimental to learning and unnecessary, arguing that even predominantly Muslim nations like Saudi Arabia do not halt education during the holy month.
Ahmad made her stance clear in a recent interview on Channels TV, where she emphasized that there is no religious justification for closing schools for fasting.
She pointed out that the affected states already have some of the highest rates of out-of-school children in Nigeria and urged their governments to reconsider.
“Nowhere is it stated that schools must be closed for Ramadan,” Ahmad stated. “Even in Saudi Arabia, a globally recognized Islamic nation, schools continue operating as usual during Ramadan. This decision negatively impacts education in a region already battling learning deficits.”
According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the states enforcing the school closures—Katsina, Kebbi, Kano, and Bauchi—already have some of the highest rates of out-of-school children in Nigeria:
Bauchi: 54% of children lack access to education
Kebbi: 45%
Katsina: 38%
Kano: 35%
These figures far exceed the national average of 34%, raising concerns that the extended school closures will worsen an already dire situation.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has also condemned the policy, calling it “counterproductive, discriminatory, and a violation of non-Muslim students’ rights.” CAN warned that suspending academic activities for five weeks could exacerbate Nigeria’s education crisis.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) had earlier estimated that Nigeria had 18.3 million out-of-school children as of 2024, with the northern region accounting for a significant portion. Education advocates argue that the school closures contradict efforts to bridge the literacy gap and reduce poverty.
Despite the growing criticism, the affected states remain resolute. Katsina State even extended the closure directive to private schools, warning of consequences for non-compliance. The Katsina Hisbah Board issued a circular stating that all private schools must close from February 26 to April 5 to enable students to fully observe Ramadan.
Bauchi State adopted a similar stance, mandating a five-week school break covering Ramadan and the Salah celebration. While the state governments insist the move aligns with religious obligations, critics argue it further marginalizes children already struggling with limited access to education.
Minister Ahmad confirmed that the Federal Ministry of Education is engaging with the four state governments to reconsider their decision. However, she acknowledged that the federal government lacks direct control over state-run schools.
“We respect states’ autonomy in managing their education systems, but closing schools for Ramadan is unnecessary and harmful to learning. We are engaging in dialogue to advocate for policies that prioritize education,” Ahmad reiterated.
