The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has voiced strong concerns over the recent decision by several governors in northern Nigeria to shut down schools for five weeks during the holy month of Ramadan. This measure, implemented amid existing challenges within the educational system, threatens to exacerbate the already dire situation faced by millions of students.
On March 4, 2025, the CBCN stated the extensive school closures would disrupt the academic calendar and jeopardize the education and future of Nigerian children. Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, President of the CBCN, commented on the gravity of this decision, noting, “This decision will exacerbate the existing education crisis in the region, which has one of the highest rates of out-of-school children in the world.” This statement highlights the alarming rate of educational attrition present within Nigeria, particularly for vulnerable populations.
The bishops emphasized education's fundamental role as a human right, insisting on the government's responsibility to protect this right for all citizens. They referenced the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which regard the right to education as foundational to society. “It is the responsibility of the government to protect this right,” stated CBCN officials.
Studies have shown the detrimental impacts of prolonged school closures on students' learning outcomes, particularly for countries already struggling with educational disparities. According to the World Bank's 2020 report, “Prolonged school closures in low-income countries can lead to significant learning losses.” Such learning losses necessitate urgent attention, especially with the backdrop of northern Nigeria's educational struggles, where learning resources are already scarce.
Similarly, UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring Report from 2020 emphasizes the necessity to minimize school closures to prevent the exacerbation of educational inequalities. This highlights the adverse ripple effects these closures can have, impacting students’ futures and potential contributions to society.
Research conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research has pointed out the long-lasting negative effects of school closures on student achievement. “Extended closures can have far-reaching consequences for students’ educational trajectories,” they reported, arguing against decisions leading to such disruptions.
Against this backdrop, the CBCN has urged the governors of the affected states to reconsider their decision. They called for alternative arrangements to protect the educational rights and freedoms of all citizens during this time of fasting and reflection. The bishops reiterated the necessity for the government's prioritization of education and the well-being of every Nigerian child, regardless of their background or beliefs.
Addressing the current crisis, the CBCN has also called on the federal government to intervene and take steps to safeguard children's educational rights. The current situation sheds light on larger systemic challenges faced by the educational sector, which remains one of the most pressing issues within Nigeria today.
The CBCN hopes the situation will be turned around as the public debate over this topic intensifies. They express their hope for the regional governors to align with the needs of their constituents and prioritize the welfare of children, especially those who are most vulnerable.
With millions of students at stake, the bishops’ plea serves as timely and pointed, urging both local and federal authorities to act decisively to protect the educational pathways of Nigeria's youth during this holy period. They have appealed for collaboration to create equitable educational opportunities, which are fundamental to national development.
Overall, the decision to close schools during Ramadan poses significant risks to educational progress within the region—a situation the CBCN urges should not be allowed to proliferate. Authorities are tasked with ensuring the right to education remains intact, and the bishops are advocating for swift action to mitigate these potentially damaging effects on Nigeria's future generations.