The Supreme Council for Shari’a in Nigeria (SCSN) has defended the decision by some northern state governments to close primary and secondary schools during Ramadan, citing concerns over extreme heat and the well-being of students.
In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, the council urged states like Zamfara, Sokoto, and Jigawa to adopt similar measures, emphasizing that the move prioritizes students’ health and religious observance.
Dismisses Opposition from CAN and NGOs
SCSN rejected criticism from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and some NGOs, insisting that state governments have full authority to determine 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 action over the closures, calling them unnecessary and an affront to state governments’ authority.
“It is baffling that CAN, which remained silent when prolonged ASUU strikes disrupted entire academic sessions, is now opposing a temporary, structured adjustment of just 25 school days,” SCSN added.
Legal Backing and Call for Respect
Referring to the Education Law of January 1, 1964, SCSN emphasized that state governors have the exclusive right to set school holidays, except in Kogi State, where the law does not apply.
The council insisted that CAN is not a stakeholder in northern states’ education policies, stressing that governments do not need external approval to make school-related decisions.
SCSN commended the affected states for prioritizing student welfare and urged other northern states to adopt similar measures. It also called on stakeholders to respect state decisions and avoid interfering in policies affecting students and their families.
