*Calls Five-Week Closure “Politically Motivated”
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Dr. Sam Amadi, a respected policy strategist, law, and governance expert, has weighed in on the controversial decision by the governors of four northern Nigerian states—Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, and Bauchi—to close schools for the duration of Ramadan.
In a recent interview, Dr. Amadi expressed concerns about the socio-political implications of the move and its impact on Nigeria’s already struggling educational system.
While acknowledging the government’s right to declare public holidays, Dr. Amadi argued that the five-week school closure during Ramadan was neither a religious necessity nor historically justified. He pointed out that while public holidays for Christian and Muslim celebrations like Christmas and Easter are observed, schools typically remain open, with only a few days off.
The closure of schools for an extended period, he noted, was unprecedented and could be seen as a politically motivated act by the governors to appeal to their religious constituencies.
Highlighting the detrimental effects on education in these states, which have some of the highest rates of out-of-school children in Nigeria, Dr. Amadi stressed the need for a more balanced approach. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the four states have an average of 44% of children deprived of education, far surpassing the national average of 34%.
In light of this, Dr. Amadi questioned the wisdom of further disrupting schooling during a time when educational development is already critically underfunded.
Dr. Amadi also raised concerns about the potential violation of religious freedoms, particularly for non-Muslim students who could be disproportionately affected by the school closures. He suggested that the action might infringe on the constitutional rights to freedom of religion and education, adding that if challenged in court, such a policy could be ruled unconstitutional.
Furthermore, Dr. Amadi pointed to the broader implications of the decision, including the ongoing calls for political restructuring in Nigeria. He argued that the government’s increasing entanglement with religious affairs, as seen in the closure of schools for Ramadan, is a step back from Nigeria’s commitment to keeping religion out of public policy.
He suggested that the President should intervene, using his influence to urge the governors to reconsider their decision, as the closures do not add meaningful value to the religious practices of Muslims and undermine the rights of all students.
Dr. Amadi’s critique comes amid growing calls for legal action by civil society organizations, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), which has signaled its intent to seek judicial recourse if the governors fail to reverse the decision.
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