Archbishop Daniel Okoh Condemns Ramadan School Closures, Challenges Northern Governors

Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has fiercely criticized the decision by Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi State governments to close schools for up to five weeks during Ramadan. He described the move as a “dangerous precedent” that threatens Nigeria’s fragile educational system.

Daniel Okoh emphasized that such prolonged closures could worsen the country’s already high rate of out-of-school children, particularly in the North, where education is already under threat. “The decision to halt learning for over a month is not only reckless but also contradicts global best practices,” he stated.

Daniel Okoh: “Even in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Schools Remain Open”

The CAN President challenged the rationale behind the closures, pointing out that even in predominantly Islamic nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, schools remain open during Ramadan. He questioned why Nigerian states, with a secular constitution, would impose harsher restrictions on education than countries where Islam is central to governance.

“If Saudi Arabia and the UAE can keep schools running during Ramadan, what justifies shutting them down in Nigeria?”Daniel Okoh asked. He warned that allowing such policies to take root could set a precedent for other religious groups to demand similar closures, leading to chaos in the education sector.

“This Is Not Governance; It’s Religious Favoritism” – Daniel Okoh

Archbishop Daniel Okoh accused the state governments of religious favoritism, arguing that their decision was made without proper consultations with all stakeholders, including parents, educators, and religious leaders. “This is not governance; this is an imposition of religious bias on an entire population,” he said.

CAN believes that policies in a multi-religious nation like Nigeria should be made with fairness and inclusivity in mind. The unilateral decision to close schools, Daniel Okoh stressed, alienates non-Muslim students and fails to consider the educational needs of all communities.

Nigeria’s Education Crisis Deepens, Daniel Okoh Warns of Dire Consequences

The CAN President warned that the closure would contribute to the already alarming number of out-of-school children in Northern Nigeria. With millions of children currently out of formal education, Daniel Okoh argued that shutting down schools for an extended period would only worsen illiteracy, unemployment, and poverty.

He urged the state governments to reconsider their stance, warning that prolonged academic disruptions could lead to increased dropout rates. “This is not just about Ramadan; it’s about the future of millions of children whose education should not be sacrificed for political or religious interests,” Daniel Okoh stated.

“Nigeria Must Follow Global Best Practices” – Daniel Okoh Urges Federal Intervention

Citing international standards, Daniel Okoh called for Nigeria to align its policies with global best practices, where school calendars accommodate religious observances without completely shutting down learning. He urged President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Education to intervene, ensuring that no state enacts policies that undermine national development.

“Religious observance should never come at the cost of education. We must find a balanced approach that respects faith while prioritizing learning,” he said. Okoh insisted that alternative solutions—such as adjusted school hours—should be considered instead of outright closures.

CAN Demands Immediate Reversal, Calls for Stakeholder Dialogue

In a final call to action, Okoh demanded that the affected states reverse the school closures immediately and engage in dialogue with stakeholders to find a fair resolution. He warned that failure to do so could force CAN and other civil society groups to challenge the decision through legal means.

“If education can thrive during Ramadan in Islamic nations, there is no excuse for it to be halted in Nigeria. We will not stand by while policies that threaten our children’s future take hold,” Okoh declared. The CAN President’s bold stance has intensified national conversations, as Nigerians await a response from the northern state governments.