The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has condemned the decision by several northern state governors to close schools for five weeks during Ramadan.
The bishops, in a statement signed by CBCN President Archbishop Lucius Ugorji and Secretary Bishop Donatus Ogun, expressed concerns that this move violates Nigeria’s secular principles and undermines students’ right to education.
“The Nigerian state is secular, and this secularity is not a mere declaration; it is a fundamental principle that must guide all aspects of our national life,” the bishops emphasized, referencing Section 10 of the Nigerian Constitution, which prohibits the government from adopting any religion as a state religion.
The bishops also raised alarm about the impact of the closures on both Muslim and Christian students, including those attending Christian-owned schools. They warned that this decision could worsen Nigeria’s already critical education crisis, particularly in the north, which has the highest number of out-of-school children globally.
According to UNESCO, over 10 million children in Nigeria are out of school, and the CBCN fears that this policy will exacerbate the issue. They called for urgent intervention from state governors and the federal government to protect the rights of all citizens and ensure the educational well-being of Nigerian children.
“We pray that our leaders will prioritise the education and well-being of all Nigerian children, regardless of their faith or background,” the bishops concluded.