While the Chief Imam of Benin Sheikh Abdul-Fatai Enabulele, has condemned the closure of schools by four Northern States for five weeks for the Ramadan fast printing out that “Islam encourages us to seek knowledge in any manner”, the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN), has defended the decision asserting that it prioritizes students’ well-being amid extreme heat conditions.
The Council also urged Zamfara, Sokoto, Jigawa, and other states to adopt similar measures.
In an interview with newsmen in Benin City, Sheikh Abdul-Fatai Enabulele opined that it was not Islamic for institutions of learning to be closed down for Ramadan.
“Islam encourages us to seek knowledge in any manner. It shouldn’t be a question of closing down the school. What they should have done was to close at 12 p.m., but not totally.
“It is totally non-Islamic. There is no Quranic verse or saying of the Prophet that supports that behavior. We should be magnanimous. Let us respect ourselves.
“Muslims should also understand that when you are fasting, it doesn’t mean you have to go inside and sleep. You have to go and look for your daily bread.
“So, don’t close down the school because you are fasting. If you want to help them, let them close by 12 p.m.
“We have to continue to acquire knowledge, and you see ulamas go on television and radio explaining the Qur’an—that is knowledge,” he said.
He also added, “What do they go to school to do? Is it not to acquire knowledge? It doesn’t make sense because Islam says that when you are fasting, you continue to acquire knowledge.”
He noted that closing down schools further deprives students of acquiring knowledge.
“Education is empowerment, so let us encourage our children to acquire knowledge. I don’t support closing down schools, and Islam doesn’t support it,” he added.
But in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, SCSN dismissed opposition from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and some non-governmental organizations (NGOs), that had earlier condemned the schools’ closure insisting that state governments have full authority to determine school schedules.
According to the council, the temporary closure will not affect academic activities, as lost time will be compensated for by adjusting the long vacation.
“This decision ensures continuous learning while preventing students from remaining idle for extended periods. It was carefully reviewed by the respective Ministries of Education and widely welcomed by parents,” the statement read.
It described threats of legal or industrial action over the school closure as unnecessary and an affront to state governments’ authority.
“It is baffling that CAN, which remained silent when prolonged ASUU strikes disrupted entire academic sessions, is now opposing a temporary, structured adjustment of just 25 school days,” the council added.
Citing the Education Law of January 1, 1964, SCSN stressed that governors have the exclusive right to set school holidays, except in Kogi State, where the law does not apply.
The council insisted that CAN is not a stakeholder in northern states’ education policies, saying no state government is obligated to seek approval from external groups before making decisions.
SCSN commended the affected state governments for their foresight in prioritizing students’ welfare and urged other northern states to implement similar policies.
It also called on all stakeholders to respect state governments’ authority and avoid interfering in educational matters that directly impact students and their families.
