CBCN Condemns School Closures In Northern Nigeria During Ramadan
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
Education is the bedrock of national development, yet millions of Nigerian children may face further setbacks due to a controversial decision by some northern governors.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has strongly criticised the recent move to close schools for five weeks during Ramadan, warning that it undermines the country’s secular nature and worsens the education crisis.
In a statement signed by the President of CBCN, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, and the Secretary of CBCN, Bishop Donatus A. Ogun emphasised that the decision violates Nigeria’s constitutional principles and international commitments to education.
They stressed that with over 10 million out-of-school children, one of the highest figures globally, such an action only deepens the crisis in northern Nigeria.
“We urge the affected governors to reconsider this decision and explore alternatives that respect the rights and freedoms of all citizens,” the statement read, calling on the Federal Government to intervene.
The CBCN’s stance highlights a growing concern over balancing religious observances with national policies, particularly in a diverse and multi-religious society like Nigeria.
