Political commentator and former presidential aide Reno Omokri has advised Christian groups in Nigeria to refrain from taking legal action against Northern state governments that have temporarily closed schools during Ramadan fasting.
In a post shared on his Instagram page, Omokri warned that opposing these closures could trigger reciprocal actions from Islamic groups.
He pointed out that historically, Nigeria’s school calendar has been more aligned with Christian holidays than Islamic ones.
“Because of Nigeria’s colonial history, we have more school closures for holidays for the benefit of Christendom than for Islam,” he noted.
He cited examples such as Easter breaks, Christmas holidays, and New Year celebrations, stating that Muslims in Nigeria have always cooperated with these closures without protest.
Omokri emphasized that Nigeria follows a Monday-to-Friday work and school schedule, which is a Western Christian model.
However, in most Islamic nations, Fridays are work-free, while Sundays are regular working days.
“This has nothing to do with the culture of pre-colonial Nigeria. It is an imposition of Western-style Christianity that our Muslim brethren have accepted as a sacrifice for peace and stability in Nigeria.
If they can sacrifice for us, perhaps we can allow them to do in their enclaves what suits their customs and mores,” he wrote.
While acknowledging the concerns of Christian groups, Omokri urged them to approach the issue through dialogue and appeals rather than lawsuits or confrontational tactics.
“Even if the Christian Association of Nigeria must intervene, then let it be by way of an appeal, not in the form of a threat of legal action. Threats are a MURIC-like behaviour. We must be Christlike.”
He also reminded Christians that education falls under the concurrent list of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, meaning state governments have the legal authority to make such decisions regarding school closures.
Omokri further pointed out that many schools in the South-East have been forced to shut down every Monday due to the sit-at-home order enforced by unknown gunmen.
He questioned why Christian groups had not taken strong legal action against those disruptions but were quick to challenge the Northern states’ decision.
“Besides, what have we done as Christians when nursery, primary, and secondary schools, as well as universities, are shut for fifty-four Mondays every year in some parts of the country?”
