Godsent Ogbebor
NANS Threatens Nationwide Protests Over School Closures for Ramadan
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the governors of Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi states to reverse their decision to close schools for five weeks during Ramadan or face nationwide protests.
In a statement on Monday, NANS National Public Relations Officer, Samson Adeyemi, described the decision as a violation of students’ rights to uninterrupted education. He argued that the policy threatens academic progress and discriminates against non-Muslim students.
“The directive to close schools during Ramadan is unjust and a blatant infringement on the fundamental rights of students. It disrupts learning, undermines academic progress, and unfairly subjects non-Muslim students to undue discrimination,” Adeyemi stated.
He emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution and international treaties uphold the right to education for all citizens, warning that prioritizing religious observances over schooling sets a dangerous precedent.
Reade also: NANS want Tinubu to Intervene in Akpabio Natasha Issue
NANS urged stakeholders, including parents, educators, and civil society organizations, to join in demanding an immediate reversal of the policy.
The student body vowed to take legal action if the governors fail to reopen schools within the given timeframe.
Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has also threatened legal action against the governors, condemning the move as discriminatory.
CAN President Daniel Okoh warned that the decision could worsen the educational crisis in the affected states, which already account for 44 percent of Nigeria’s out-of-school children.
