Sharia Council asks Northern States to shut schools over Ramadan

The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN), has called on the Northern State governments to order the closure of all primary and secondary schools over the ongoing Ramadan fasting.

No fewer than four Northern States had so far shut the schools in their states over Ramadan.

The development had faced opposition from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and some non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

However, Council, in a statement by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, insisted that state governments have full authority to determine school schedules.

Baba-Ahmad explained that the council believed that the temporary closure of the schools will not affect academic activities.

He added that the lost time will be accommodated with the adjustment of the long vacation.

“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.

Baba-Ahmad, however, asked other northern state governments yet to close their schools to adopt the same initiative.