The management of Federal Polytechnic Bauchi has sparked widespread debate after issuing a directive barring male and female students from standing together as pairs on campus during the Ramadan period.
In an official notice dated February 25, 2026, and signed by the institution’s Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Alhaji Kamisu Salihu, students were cautioned against what the school described as “standing together in couples (boy and girl)” throughout the holy month. The circular emphasised that such conduct would not be tolerated within the polytechnic environment during Ramadan.
The statement further warned that any students found flouting the order would face immediate consequences, including being subjected to an arranged Nikkah, an Islamic marriage ceremony. It added that in the event such a marriage was enforced, the affected pair would bear full responsibility for organising their own Walima, or wedding reception.
The notice urged students to uphold the sanctity of the institution and avoid what it termed unnecessary closeness during the fasting period. However, the directive quickly ignited criticism across social media platforms, with many Nigerians questioning the appropriateness of imposing what they perceive as religiously influenced measures within a federally owned academic institution.
Several commentators likened the policy to strict religious regimes, arguing that it signals a troubling encroachment of faith-based rules into public education. Apostle Michael Olowookere, who circulated the notice online, compared the development to practices in Afghanistan, suggesting that it reflects excessive religious control.
Other social media users voiced concerns about Nigeria’s multi-religious character, insisting that no single faith should dominate public institutions. One X user argued that attempts to impose religious practices in a diverse society amount to extremism and undermine national unity.
Calls for federal authorities to intervene have also emerged. Some commentators stressed that the polytechnic falls under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Education and urged officials in Abuja to summon the school’s leadership for clarification over what they described as an attempt to introduce Sharia-style regulations in a secular learning space.
The controversy has unfolded amid heightened religious sensitivities across the country. Certain online voices have connected the directive to broader claims about religious dominance and governance, with critics alleging that such actions contribute to feelings of marginalisation among minority faith groups.
Others, however, shifted attention to what they described as inconsistencies in campus culture, alleging that while strict rules are enforced publicly during the day, different activities allegedly occur after dark within student hostels and surrounding areas.
The debate has even extended beyond Nigeria’s borders. Some commentators referenced recent communications to the White House by U.S. Congressman Riley Moore, which raised concerns about religious freedom in Nigeria. Additionally, the American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) reportedly echoed calls for stronger international action, advocating measures to safeguard Christians and promote freedom of worship.
As reactions continue to pour in, the directive remains a flashpoint in ongoing national conversations about religious freedom, institutional autonomy, and the balance between faith observance and constitutional principles in Nigeria’s public institutions.