The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a warning of potential nationwide protests unless the governors of Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi states reverse their decision to close schools for five weeks during the Ramadan fast within the next 72 hours.In a statement released on Monday by its National Public Relations Officer, Samson Adeyemi, NANS condemned the school closure, arguing that it infringes on students’ rights to uninterrupted education. Adeyemi emphasized that this policy jeopardizes academic progress and discriminates against non-Muslim students.
He highlighted the detrimental precedent such a decision could set within Nigeria’s education sector if left unchallenged.“The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS National Body) firmly condemns the recent directive issued by the governors of Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi states to close schools during Ramadan,” Adeyemi stated.
This policy is not only unjust but also a blatant violation of students’ fundamental rights to accessible education.“NANS is dedicated to advocating for the educational rights of all Nigerian students, regardless of their religious backgrounds. Closing schools for such an extended period during Ramadan disrupts learning, hinders academic progress, and unfairly targets non-Muslim students, leading to unwarranted discrimination.
The Nigerian constitution and various international treaties recognize the right to education for all citizens.
This decision undermines those principles and establishes a troubling precedent that places religious observance above the educational rights of students.”Adeyemi provided a 72-hour ultimatum for a policy reversal, threatening nationwide protests if the governors fail to act.
He called on all stakeholders to unite in defending students’ rights.“NANS demands the immediate rescission of this policy and gives the governors of Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi states a 72-hour period to take corrective measures and reopen schools. Should they fail to act, we will resort to nationwide protests and legal actions to safeguard the rights of Nigerian students.“We invite all stakeholders—including parents, educators, and civil society organizations—to rally behind us in this fight to ensure education remains accessible to all Nigerian students. Working together, we can prevent any form of discrimination and uphold the values of equality and justice,” Adeyemi concluded.Furthermore, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has also threatened to pursue legal action against the four governors if schools remain closed during Ramadan.
In a statement, CAN President Daniel Okoh described the closure as discriminatory and a violation of the rights of non-Muslim students, warning that it could exacerbate the educational crisis in the affected states, which already contribute to 44 percent of Nigeria’s out-of-school children.
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