The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has strongly opposed the decision by Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi State governments to shut down schools for the Ramadan period, warning that such closures threaten educational continuity, equity, and national unity.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, criticized the move, arguing that it disproportionately affects students in states already struggling with high numbers of out-of-school children.
He emphasized that education is a fundamental right and should not be sacrificed for religious observances.
The association condemned the lack of consultation before implementing the directive, stressing that religious diversity demands inclusive dialogue.
CAN also pointed out that Islamic-majority nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE do not enforce school closures for Ramadan but instead adopt adjusted schedules.
With statistics showing that the affected states have an average of 44% out-of-school children, CAN cautioned that a five-week closure could worsen Nigeria’s educational crisis.
The group urged state governors to engage stakeholders in reviewing the policy and warned that it would seek legal action if the closures persist.
While advocating for religious harmony, CAN insisted that the rights of all students must be respected, urging the governors to reconsider their stance in the interest of fairness, progress, and national cohesion.
