Netizens have expressed mixed feelings over the Kano state government’s directive
announced on Tuesday by Abdullahi Sulaiman, Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Censorship Board, mandating the immediate closure of entertainment venues throughout the Ramadan fasting period.
The government in the statement warned that violators of the directive will face sanctions.
The affected facilities include entertainment centres popularly known as gala houses and disc jockey (DJ) operators operating within the board’s regulatory jurisdiction.
“Effective from Wednesday, 18 February 2026, all such venues will remain closed until the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
The directive will take effect from 10:00 p.m. on that day,” the statement read.
It stressed that the board would not tolerate any breach of the order, noting that monitoring teams would be deployed to enforce compliance throughout the fasting period.
“The action is intended to create a peaceful environment for residents to observe the Ramadan fast in accordance with religious injunctions,” he said.
He further explained that all entertainment activities under the board’s supervision would remain suspended until the end of Ramadan, adding that reopening dates would be communicated in due course.
“The closure will remain in force throughout the fasting period, while the date for reopening, particularly during the Eid celebrations, will be announced at the appropriate time,” Sulaiman said.
The board cautioned operators of affected centres and DJs to comply fully with the directive, warning that any violation would attract sanctions in line with its regulatory powers.
It maintained that the measure falls within its mandate to regulate entertainment activities and promote moral and social order during religious seasons.
While the directive has generated mixed reactions in some quarters, the board clarified that it does not apply to event centres used for weddings, conferences, or political gatherings.
Authorities say enforcement will remain active throughout Ramadan to ensure that the shutdown order is strictly observed across the state.
In separate reactions, some Netizens described the directive as a welcome development while others decried the entertainment centres shutdown.
Those against the directive argued that the directive was detrimental to the daily livelihood of non muslims’ adding that it was also an infringement on their rights.
Below are some of the reactions obtained by Metronetworknews.
Smile mic De Hero: “Kanu state is not a Nigerian state na me tell you”.
Aino Onono: “They are supposed to declare 30 days public holiday for Ramadan. Upon all this, it will shock them when they die and find out that there is no 72 virgins anywhere”.
Haruna R Umar: “Yes, this is a welcome development. Kano state is a Shari’a state”.
Agadagu Gift: “Please allow other people to breathe na”.
Amen Abdool: “Thank you Governor and Hisbah. It is our state and our government, we the citizens of Kano state are extremely happy to hear this news”.
Kagbeh B Talawally: “Hope Christmas time they gonna shut down the mosque”.
Kamal Ali: “That is good, the month of Ramadan is one to purify our soul and be good ambassadors of Islam”.
Ezenne Nwanyioma: “But bandits and terrorists are free to operate? Thinking through the rear”.
Felix Oluwaseun: “Instead of them to stop banditry na entertainment una dey stop”.
Prince Jonathan: “They are enforcing Shari’a to Christian’s in the North?
Engr. Charles Udeme Omokhodion: “Kano is a secular state. It doesn’t belong to only muslims”.
Jesi Gabriel : Na by force to fast
