The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a 72-hour ultimatum for the governors of Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi states to reopen schools closed due to Ramadan.

The body said failure to comply would spark national protests and legal action to protect the rights of students.

This is contained in a Monday statement signed by NANS National Public Relations Officer (PRO), Samson Adeyemi and sent to Daily Sun.

According to the national student body, the recent directives by the state governors to close schools during the holy month of Ramadan is not only unjust but also a blatant infringement on the fundamental rights of students to receive uninterrupted education.

“NANS stands firm in advocating for the right to education for all Nigerian students, regardless of their religious affiliations.

“Closing schools for an extended period during Ramadan undermines the academic progress of students, disrupts their learning, and unfairly targets non-Muslim students, subjecting them to undue discrimination.

“The Nigerian Constitution, along with various international treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory, guarantees the right to education for all citizens.

“The decision to close schools during Ramadan violates these principles and sets a dangerous precedent that prioritises religious observances over the educational rights of students,” the statement reads in part.

NANS charged the governors of Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi states to take corrective action and reopen schools within 72 hours or risk “nationwide protests and legal actions to protect the rights of Nigerian students”.

NANS urged all stakeholders, including parents, educators, and civil society organisations, to join it in the fight to ensure that education remains a priority for all Nigerian students.

“We must work together to prevent any form of discrimination and uphold the principles of equality and justice,” the body said.