The Supreme Council for Shari’a in Nigeria (SCSN) has defended the decision of some northern state governments to temporarily close primary and secondary schools during Ramadan, citing concerns over extreme heat and students’ well-being.
In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, the council urged states such as Zamfara, Sokoto, and Jigawa to adopt similar measures, emphasizing that the decision prioritizes both health and religious observance.
Dismissing objections raised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and certain non-governmental organizations (NGOs), SCSN asserted that state governments have full authority over 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.
The council criticized threats of legal or industrial action against the closures, calling them unnecessary and an affront to state governments’ jurisdiction. It further accused CAN of inconsistency, questioning why the organization remained silent during prolonged ASUU strikes yet now opposes a temporary, structured adjustment of 25 school days.
Referencing the Education Law of January 1, 1964, SCSN reiterated that state governors have exclusive authority to set school holidays, except in Kogi State, where the law does not apply. The council also argued that CAN is not a stakeholder in northern education policies, asserting that no government is required to seek external approval before making school-related decisions.
Commending affected state governments for their foresight, SCSN encouraged other northern states to follow suit and called on all stakeholders to respect government decisions, avoiding interference in policies that directly impact students and their families.
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