The Supreme Council for Shari’a in Nigeria (SCSN) has defended the decision of some northern state governments to close primary and secondary schools during Ramadan, citing concerns for students’ well-being due to extreme heat 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 the example, emphasizing that the move prioritizes students’ health and allows for proper religious observance.
The council dismissed objections from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and certain non-governmental organizations (NGOs), asserting that state governments have the authority to set school schedules.
“This decision ensures continuous learning while preventing students from remaining idle for extended periods. It was carefully reviewed by the respective Ministries of Education and widely welcomed by parents,” the statement read.
SCSN also criticized threats of legal or industrial action over the closures, calling them unnecessary and a challenge to the authority of state governments.
“It is baffling that CAN, which remained silent during prolonged ASUU strikes that disrupted entire academic sessions, is now opposing a temporary, structured adjustment of just 25 school days,” the council added.
Citing the Education Law of January 1, 1964, the council emphasized that state governors have the exclusive right to determine school holidays, with the exception of Kogi State where the law does not apply.
SCSN further stated that CAN is not a stakeholder in northern states’ education policies, asserting that no government is required to seek external approval before making decisions that affect schools.
The council commended the affected state governments for prioritizing students’ welfare and called on other northern states to adopt similar measures. It also urged all stakeholders to respect the decisions of state governments and refrain from interfering with policies impacting students and their families.
