Examination has been recognized as the parameter used to test and judge intellectual ability and level of assimilation of students in any learning environment. It is a process in which the students are required to reproduce the knowledge and skills they acquired in the classrooms. Examination is a phenomenon that terrifies students in an academic setting.

Whenever examination is around the corner or time table is pasted on the notice board, students disengage themselves from many social activities on campus, increase their reading habit and also avoid numerous necessary chores which tend to be time consuming such as cooking, washing and ironing of clothes, among others. It is obvious that during examination period, many students especially the inmates of hostels, cease from cooking and embark on buying food from different restaurants situated within the school campus.

The word "Ba time" meaning "No time" is often heard from students during examination period to refer to the level of their commitment or preparation for examination.

No doubt, the four months strike by the academic staff of Nigerian universities has affected and altered the academic calendar of Bayero University Kano (BUK). The strike appears to be the major factor that led to the examination period for BUK students falling into the holy month of Ramadan, where Muslims are required to totally abstain from eating food from dawn to sunset.

Does Ramadan affect the reading culture of Muslim students of Bayero University Kano, who recently commenced their first semester examination? Some of the students said it does, especially in view of the general belief that food plays a significant role as far as quick assimilation of study and rapid excogitation of idea is concerned, and more importantly because Muslims are required to intensify supplications during the period.

For instance, Maryam Sahura Abdullahi, a student of the Economics department told Campus Roundup that "Ramadan affects my reading habit because in the day time, I usually get tired and after Iftar, I can't be productive anymore other than to sleep."

A geography student, Ibrahim Abubakar said "fasting has really affected my reading habit and I think that could lead to poor performance in my exam."

In her words, Umaima .S. Abdulmi'umin of the department of Sociology said, "the time I have in Ramadan is limited because I do a lot of house chores and other things and this affects my reading schedule, but I'll do my best to make sure I perform well in exam."

Shamsiyya Faruk of Islamic Studies department also said "Ramadan has really affected my usual reading habit because I lack enough time and energy to study very well."

In his view, Muhammad Bashir Zubair of Accounting department said "Ramadan has actually affected my reading culture because you can't be reading while you are hungry and I think Ramadan will have negative effect in my performance in the exam."

However, some students feel that fasting shouldn't be a problem as far as reading and examinations are concerned. El-Kasim Ishaq Isah, a student of Mass Communication, is of the view that "when you are hungry by means of fasting, you get calmer, more collected and in that regard, you read more," adding that "fasting does not affect my reading habit. I do a lot of things during fasting and I don't think fasting stops any of my schedules. I travel during fasting and I think travelling is even more tasking than reading."

Bashirat Abdul-Wahab, also a student of Mass Communication said "Ramadan has actually made me to reschedule my reading pattern. I have adopted a new plan. I have shifted my reading period to evening time after breaking my fast. By the time I eat, pray Isha'I and Tarawih, I go to read and I read for only two hours."

Usman Ali of the Political Science department said, "Ramadan period offers ample opportunities to judiciously utilize my time because he who fails to plan, plans to fail? If you plan your activities, fasting won't affect your studies. If you go the library, the only thing that will take you out of the library is just to go to the mosque and pray. Then, you come back and continue with your work. So, it is an added advantage."

For Abdullahi Muhammad Sani, a student of the English department, "the moment I feel hungry, I concentrate on reading my books because of the time factor in this month of Ramadan."

Muhammad Ibrahim of Business Administration department said, "I have been reading the normal way I do before Ramadan only that I become a little bit exhausted before evening, and once it is evening, I stop reading."