A Catholic bishop in Nigeria is urging state officials to reopen Catholic schools in the northern region after an abrupt and unexpected decision to shut them down for the duration of Ramadan.
According to The Catholic Herald, Bishop Gerald Mamman Musa of Katsina expressed shock over the directive issued by the governors of Katsina, Kano, Kebbi, and Bauchi states.
The mandate applies to both public and private schools, including those attending Catholic institutions.
In a statement to the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, Bishop Musa revealed that around 2,500 students across eight Catholic schools in Katsina were affected.
The bishop stressed the severe consequences of the decision, which leaves hundreds of thousands of students across the four states without access to education.
He warned that suspending schooling in an area already struggling with poverty and unemployment could further harm the future of young people.
He said: "This decision was completely unexpected. Education and religious practices should not be seen as conflicting. They can and should coexist.
"The approach to this issue must be guided by reason, discussion, and wisdom."
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has also voiced concerns about the closures, issuing a formal statement criticising the decision.
The letter, signed by Archbishop Lucius Ugorji of Owerri (CBCN president) and Archbishop Donatus Ogun of Uromi (vice president), argued that the school shutdowns violate the fundamental right to education outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
"Shutting down schools for such an extended period undermines children's right to education and puts their future at risk," the letter stated.
It also referenced United Nations' reports, which identify Nigeria as the country with the highest number of out-of-school children, over ten million.
"We strongly urge the governors to reconsider this move and seek alternative solutions that uphold both educational access and religious freedoms," the letter concluded.