Reno Omokri Urges Nigeria To Adjust Work Hours To Allow Muslims Observe Friday Prayers

Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has called for a review of Nigeria’s work schedule to allow Muslims to observe Friday prayers without disruption, describing the current arrangement as unfair.

In a video shared on his Facebook page on Friday, Omokri noted that before colonial rule, Fridays were traditionally recognized as a day of rest for Muslims. He argued that it is inequitable for Christians to have Sunday off while Muslims are required to work on Fridays, a day of religious significance.

“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 adjusting Nigeria’s work hours so offices could close earlier on Fridays, suggesting that work start earlier from Monday to Thursday to allow Friday to end by midday.

“Now we have Sunday as a non-working day and Friday as a working day. I think we can achieve a compromise. We can start work at 7:30am from Monday to Friday, then close at 12 noon on Friday,” he explained.

Omokri emphasized that the change would not negatively affect the country’s productivity or economic output, noting that the hours lost on Friday could be made up during the week.

“So the time we are going to lose on Friday, we are going to gain it back from Monday to Thursday. It is not going to affect our productivity as a country or our GDP. And then the Muslim Ummah can close at 12 noon and go for Solat Jumaat,” he said.

According to Omokri, the proposal would help strike a balance between religious obligations and Nigeria’s workday system, ensuring fairness for both Christians and Muslims.