Banks, Including Access, UBA, Zenith, GTB To Close Branches for 24 Hours
- The federal government has announced a public holiday on Friday to mark the Eid al-Mawlid celebrations
- Nigerian banks and other financial institutions will have to shut their branches nationwide on Friday
- Customers are expected to carry out transactions via ATMs, mobile apps, and internet banking during the holiday.
Legit.ng journalist Dave Ibemere has over a decade of business journalism experience with in-depth knowledge of the Nigerian economy, stocks, and general market trends.
Branches of commercial banks and other financial institutions across Nigeria, including Access Bank, UBA, Zenith Bank, and GTB, will be closed on Friday, September 5, 2025.
This is in observance of the public holiday declared by the federal government to mark Eid-ul-Mawlid, the celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Source: Getty Images
The public holiday announcement was made in a statement issued on Wednesday, September 3 by Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Eid-ul-Mawlid, observed in the third month of the Islamic calendar (Rabi’ al-Awwal), marks the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
FG declares public holiday for Eid-ul-Mawlid
In the statement, the government congratulated Muslims across Nigeria and the diaspora on the occasion and urged them to uphold the Prophet’s values of peace, love, humility, tolerance, and compassion.
It further appealed to Nigerians of all faiths to use the celebration to pray for peace, security, and stability in the country, while also supporting ongoing government initiatives aimed at strengthening unity and promoting sustainable development. Punch reports.
The statement reads:
"The Federal Government has declared Friday, 5th September 2025, as a public holiday to commemorate the celebration of Eid-ul-Mawlid, the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
:The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government extended warm felicitations to Muslims Umah in Nigeria and across the world on this occasion
"Dr. Tunji-Ojo enjoined the Muslim faithful to reflect on the virtues of peace, love, humility, tolerance, and compassion as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), stressing that these values remain essential in building a united, prosperous, and progressive nation."
Source: Getty Images
The minister stated that the celebration of Eid-ul-Mawlid offers us yet another opportunity to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, promote peaceful coexistence, and imbibe the Prophet’s teachings of mutual respect and selfless service to humanity."
Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo also urged citizens to remain law-abiding, security-conscious, and supportive of government policies aimed at ensuring the collective well-being of all Nigerians.
Banks advise customers to use e-channels
Bank customers have been advised to use ATMs, mobile apps, internet banking, and USSD platforms to carry out transactions during the one-day holiday.
Banks with highest customers deposit
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that as of December 2024, total customer deposits in 10 commercial banks listed on the Nigerian exchange had increased to N140.97 trillion.
The latest figure represents a 51% increase in customer deposits compared to the N93.5 trillion generated in 2023.
The figures are captured in the third quarter report of the financial institutions submitted to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).
Source: Legit.ng
