The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has criticized the decision by some northern state governors to close schools for five weeks during Ramadan, describing it as a violation of the country’s secular principles and a threat to education.
In a statement signed by CBCN President Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji and Secretary Bishop Donatus A. Ogun, the bishops expressed concern that the closures affect not only Muslim students but also Christian students and Christian-owned schools.
They argued that such a policy undermines the constitutional guarantee of religious neutrality and the fundamental right to education.
“The Nigerian state is secular, and this secularity is not a mere declaration; it is a fundamental principle that must guide all aspects of our national life,” the statement read, referencing Section 10 of the Nigerian Constitution, which prohibits the government from adopting any religion as a state religion.
The CBCN also cited international human rights frameworks, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which affirm education as a fundamental right.
The bishops warned that the school closures would worsen Nigeria’s already dire education crisis, particularly in the north, which has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world.
According to UNESCO, over 10 million Nigerian children do not attend school, and the bishops fear this policy will exacerbate the problem.
Calling for urgent intervention, the CBCN urged state governors to reconsider the decision and the Federal Government to step in to protect the rights of all citizens.
“We pray that our leaders will prioritize the education and well-being of all Nigerian children, regardless of their faith or background, and work toward creating a more just and equitable society for all,” the bishops concluded.
