Former Kano State governorship aspirant under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Jafar Sani Bello, has criticized the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad, for opposing the closure of schools during Ramadan in some northern states.
In a statement to Kano Times, Bello questioned the minister’s stance, arguing that school closures for religious or social reasons are not unusual.
“She needs to provide a biblical reference that justifies closing schools for 104 days a year—52 Saturdays and 52 Sundays. In addition to closures on Easter Monday and Good Friday, isn’t she aware of school closures on Boxing Day? Does she even know what that means?” he asked.
Bello defended the decision of states like Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, and Kebbi to close schools during Ramadan, stating that governance should reflect the needs of the people rather than external opinions.
“Granted, there is no scriptural basis for the closure, but governments are elected to meet the demands of their citizens, regardless of external views. I believe her status as a junior minister reflects the extent of her understanding of governance and what it ought to be,” he remarked.
He argued that keeping schools open during Ramadan places an unnecessary burden on parents, particularly in a country without a strong school feeding system.
“Allowing schools to remain open during Ramadan in a country that does not have a strong school feeding system burdens parents with cooking five times a day instead of three. It also takes away the morning rest that Muslims need after nights of supplication—something only a practicing Muslim would understand,” Bello stated.
He also referenced past policy decisions in Nigeria, questioning whether former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon received divine instruction when he declared Saturdays work-free, effectively reducing the work year by 52 days.
Bello’s comments were in response to Suwaiba Ahmad’s remarks on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm, where she urged northern state governments to reconsider the school closures, arguing that no Muslim-majority nation follows such a practice.
The minister cited examples from Saudi Arabia and other Islamic nations where schools remain open during Ramadan, emphasizing that Islamic teachings do not mandate school closures for fasting.
She also raised concerns about the academic time lost due to the closures and stated that the Federal Ministry of Education is engaging with the affected states.
However, Bello maintained that the decision was made out of cultural and practical considerations rather than religious obligation.
