Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has called for a review of Nigeria’s official work schedule to allow Muslims observe Friday prayers without disruption, describing the current arrangement as unfair.
In a video shared on his Facebook page on Friday, Omokri argued that prior to colonial rule, Fridays were traditionally recognised as a day of rest for Muslims. He noted that while Sunday is a non-working day for Christians, Muslims are still required to work on Fridays despite its spiritual importance.
“I don’t think it is fair for the Muslim Ummah for us to have Friday as a working day in Nigeria. Originally, before colonialism, it was not like that,” Omokri said.
He proposed that Nigeria’s daily work hours be adjusted to create room for offices to close earlier on Fridays. According to him, work could begin earlier from Monday to Thursday, allowing Friday work to end by midday.
“What we can do is that instead of work beginning at 8am or 9am, we can start at 7:30am from Monday to Thursday and then close at 12 o’clock on Friday,” he suggested.
Omokri maintained that the change would not harm national productivity or economic output, stressing that the lost hours on Friday would be recovered during the week.
“So the time we are going to lose on Friday, we will gain back from Monday to Thursday. It is not going to affect our productivity or GDP. And then the Muslim Ummah can close at 12 noon and go for Solat Jumaat,” he explained.
He added that such an arrangement would ensure fairness and balance between the religious obligations of both Christians and Muslims in Nigeria’s workday system.
