The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Thursday, March 19, and Friday, March 20, 2026, as public holidays to mark the Eid-el-Fitr celebration, giving Nigerians a four-day break when combined with the weekend.
This period marks the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan, a time of fasting and spiritual reflection for the Muslim community.
The announcement was released on Tuesday in a statement by Magdalene Ajani, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior. It confirmed that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the government, while extending “warm greetings and heartfelt congratulations to the Muslim faithful on the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.”
In his message, the Minister highlighted the importance of carrying forward the spiritual lessons learned during the fast. He urged the Muslim community to “sustain the virtues of love, generosity, peace, tolerance, and sacrifice emphasised during the holy month.” Additionally, he encouraged all citizens to dedicate time during the festivities to “pray for the continued peace, unity, and prosperity of the nation.”
Concluding the announcement, Tunji-Ojo wished for a joyful celebration and reminded Nigerians to “celebrate responsibly and extend acts of kindness to the less privileged in society.” The statement reaffirmed the government’s ongoing commitment to “fostering national unity and peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians.”
