Ramadan: Kebbi Government Cuts Working Hours for Civil Servants to Ease Fasting Burden

The Kebbi State Government has approved a temporary reduction in official working hours for civil servants in observance of the Ramadan fasting period, a move aimed at easing the physical and spiritual demands placed on workers during the holy month.

The decision followed the formal announcement of the commencement of Ramadan by the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, which traditionally signals the start of adjustments to public life in many Muslim-majority states across northern Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Birnin Kebbi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Establishment, Pension and Training, Hafsat Tune, disclosed that the approval was granted by Governor Nasir Idris. According to the statement, the governor authorized the measure to help civil servants balance their work responsibilities with the rigours of fasting, prayer, and other religious obligations observed during Ramadan.

Under the revised arrangement, civil servants in the state will resume work by 8:00 a.m. and close at 2:00 p.m. from Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, official duties will end earlier at 12:00 noon throughout the fasting period. The government noted that the adjusted schedule applies strictly during Ramadan, after which normal working hours will be fully restored.

Tune emphasized that all civil servants across ministries, departments, and agencies are expected to comply strictly with the new timetable. She added that the state government would continue to monitor compliance to ensure that essential services are not disrupted, even as workers benefit from the temporary concession.

“The adjustment is meant to support fasting workers and improve efficiency during Ramadan,” the statement read. “At the end of the holy month, all ministries and offices will revert to the approved standard working hours.”

The policy aligns with a long-standing practice in several northern states, where governments often shorten official work hours during Ramadan to accommodate reduced energy levels associated with fasting from dawn to dusk. Proponents of the policy argue that the measure helps maintain productivity by preventing fatigue and burnout among workers.

However, the announcement has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians, particularly on social media platforms. While some residents and commentators praised the Kebbi State Government for what they described as a humane and culturally sensitive decision, others criticized the move, arguing that it could negatively affect productivity and reinforce perceptions of uneven application of public policy across the country.

Supporters of the policy countered such criticisms by noting that similar concessions are often granted in other regions during major religious celebrations, such as Christmas and New Year holidays in predominantly Christian states. They argued that the Ramadan adjustment should be viewed within the broader context of Nigeria’s religious and cultural diversity.

Critics, however, questioned whether religion should influence official government policy in a country constitutionally described as secular. Some expressed concern that repeated reductions in official working hours could undermine efficiency in the public sector, while others called for uniform policies that apply equally across all regions and faiths.

Despite the debate, the Kebbi State Government has maintained that the decision is temporary, lawful, and in line with established practices. Officials insist that essential services will continue uninterrupted and that the welfare of workers remains a priority during the fasting period.

As Ramadan progresses, attention will remain on how effectively ministries and agencies adapt to the revised schedule, and whether the reduced hours achieve their intended goal of supporting workers without compromising public service delivery.