The management of Federal Polytechnic Bauchi has come under intense public scrutiny following the release of a directive prohibiting male and female students from standing together “in couples” on campus during the holy month of Ramadan.
The controversial notice, dated February 25, 2026, was signed by the institution’s Registrar and Secretary to Council, Alhaji Kamisu Salihu. It warned that any male and female students found violating the order could face an immediate arranged Nikkah — an Islamic marriage ceremony — as a corrective measure.
According to the circular, “During the Holy month of Ramadan, standing together in couple (boy & girl) is strictly prohibited.” Students were further advised to “respect the sanctity of the Polytechnic and avoid unnecessary closeness.”
In a clause that has drawn particular criticism, the notice stated that should such an arranged marriage occur, the affected students would bear full financial responsibility for their Walima — the traditional wedding feast that follows an Islamic marriage.
The directive has triggered widespread debate across social media platforms and within academic circles, with critics questioning both its legality and its appropriateness within a federally funded institution. Many commentators argue that the policy appears to impose religious-based behavioural standards in what they describe as a secular educational environment governed by national laws rather than religious doctrine.
Nigeria operates as a constitutionally secular state, although freedom of religion is guaranteed. While institutions in predominantly Muslim regions may observe certain cultural or religious sensitivities during Ramadan, critics contend that compelling or threatening students with marriage — even rhetorically — exceeds the bounds of acceptable administrative conduct.
Legal analysts have also weighed in, suggesting that any attempt to enforce marriage as a disciplinary measure would raise serious constitutional and human rights concerns. Marriage under Nigerian law requires consent from both parties and cannot be imposed administratively. Observers note that while the circular may have been intended as a deterrent or symbolic warning, the language used has amplified concerns about personal liberties and institutional overreach.
Supporters of the directive, however, argue that the institution is seeking to preserve moral standards and maintain decorum during a sacred religious period. Ramadan, observed by Muslims worldwide, emphasises fasting, self-discipline, modesty, and spiritual reflection. From this perspective, the management may have aimed to reinforce behavioural expectations consistent with local religious culture.
Nevertheless, the backlash underscores the complex balance between cultural sensitivity and constitutional governance in Nigeria’s diverse society. Federal institutions, by their nature, serve students from various religious and ethnic backgrounds. As such, policies perceived as privileging one religious framework over others often generate controversy.
Student groups and civil society advocates have called on the institution’s management to clarify whether the directive was intended as an enforceable rule or merely advisory guidance. Some have urged the Federal Ministry of Education and other relevant authorities to review the circular to ensure compliance with national standards governing tertiary institutions.
As debate continues, the incident has reignited broader conversations about personal freedoms, campus governance, and the role of religion in public institutions. Whether the management will revise or withdraw the directive remains to be seen, but the episode has already placed Federal Polytechnic Bauchi at the centre of a national discussion on rights, responsibility, and the boundaries of institutional authority.
