As the 2024/2025 academic year approaches, several Nigerian states, starting with Kano, have announced a postponement of school resumption dates. Initially, schools across most parts of the country were scheduled to reopen on Monday, September 9.
The postponement in Kano State was officially confirmed by Balarabe Kiru, the Director of Public Enlightenment at the Ministry of Education, through a statement released last Saturday. Kiru noted that the Commissioner for Education, Umar Doguwa, will soon announce a new resumption date, stating that the delay is aimed at improving the learning environment.
In Edo State, the government attributed the postponement to the recent surge in petrol prices, which has caused significant challenges for parents and guardians. The government directed all schools in the state to remain closed until further notice, with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Ojo Akin-Longe, urging parents to closely monitor their children’s activities due to the rising tension caused by the fuel hike.
Similarly, Abia State has postponed the resumption date for both public and private schools. Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, cited a coinciding Muslim holiday as the reason for the delay, following this week’s Executive Council meeting in Umuahia.
These postponements reflect the varying challenges faced by different states as they navigate the upcoming academic year.