A decision by four northern Nigerian states to shut down public schools for the last ten days of Ramadan has sparked concern and criticism from Christian communities who see the move as a troubling sign of religious favoritism in a secular state.
The states of Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara all with Muslim-majority populations announced last week that schools would observe an extended break to allow Muslim students and teachers to fully participate in the final days of Ramadan, which are considered especially sacred in Islam.
While local education authorities framed the closures as a cultural accommodation and a matter of public convenience, Christian leaders in the affected areas are raising alarms about what they describe as increasing marginalization of non-Muslim populations.
“This move sends a worrying message about the direction of governance in these states,” said Rev. Gideon Para-Mallam, a prominent Christian leader and advocate for religious freedom. “Nigeria is constitutionally secular. Public institutions must reflect that principle, not cater exclusively to one faith.”
Christian parents also expressed concern that the sudden school closures would affect academic continuity for their children, many of whom do not observe Ramadan. In some schools, end-of-term exams have been postponed indefinitely, leading to further anxiety.
Human rights groups have also weighed in, warning that such policies risk deepening religious divides in a country already struggling with interfaith tensions. “This is not about opposing religious freedom,” said Hauwa Ibrahim, a lawyer and rights activist. “It’s about ensuring equal treatment for all citizens under the law.”
Officials in the affected states have dismissed the criticism, noting that similar breaks are often granted during major Christian holidays in other parts of the country. “We are simply responding to the cultural and religious realities of our population,” said an education official in Sokoto who declined to be named.
Nigeria remains one of the most religiously diverse countries in Africa, with roughly equal populations of Muslims and Christians. However, regional divides Muslim-majority in the north and Christian-majority in the south continue to fuel political and social fault lines.
As Ramadan draws to a close, calls are mounting for a national dialogue on how to balance religious freedom with the rights and expectations of all communities in the public sphere.
source: opendoorsuk.org
