Northern CAN Urges Governors to Ensure Religious Balance in Schools

• Northern CAN praises Katsina’s approval of CRS teachers, urging other states to provide balanced religious education for peace

• Rev. Hayab stresses religious education as a constitutional right crucial for moral upbringing and social harmony in Northern Nigeria

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the FCT has commended the Katsina State Government for approving the recruitment of Christian Religious Studies (CRS) teachers and introducing the subject in public schools across the state.

In a statement issued in Kaduna on Friday, Northern CAN Chairman, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, described the move as a bold step towards restoring moral values among young people.

He noted that while providing religious education is a constitutional duty of government, it has often been neglected in the region, leading to what he called the systematic sidelining of Christian education.

Rev. Hayab also highlighted similar initiatives recently undertaken by the governors of Niger and Borno states, stressing that such actions ensure children from both Christian and Muslim backgrounds receive balanced moral and religious instruction.

“We commend Governor Dikko Umaru Radda for showing leadership in this regard. Ordinarily, this should not be something we celebrate because it is the duty of every northern governor. Unfortunately, Christians have had to struggle for such recognition,” he said.

The CAN leader emphasised that fair religious education is not an act of charity but a right that promotes peace, mutual respect, and the moral upbringing of children.

He warned that denying children access to CRS or Islamic Studies risks moral decline and could fuel social disorder.

Northern CAN, therefore, called on other governors in the region who have yet to make provisions for CRS in public schools to follow the examples of Katsina, Niger, and Borno states.

It also urged Christian governors in the North to ensure the inclusion of Islamic Studies teachers for Muslim pupils in their states, insisting that fairness in religious education fosters social harmony.