Federal Government to Declare Public Holiday for 2026 Eid al-Fitr
- Nigeria's Ministry of Interior, under the leadership of Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, would announce a public holiday for Eid al-Fitr in 2026
- The official declaration was expected in March 2026, potentially suspending work across government and private establishments
- Eid al-Fitr celebrations are determined by the sighting of the moon, following the month-long Islamic fasting period of Ramadan
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs and governance in Nigeria.
FCT, Abuja - Nigeria’s Ministry of Interior will declare a nationwide public holiday across all entities to mark Eid al-Fitr 2026, potentially creating an extended break for all Muslim employees when combined with the weekend.
The official announcement is expected later in March 2026, and it will be the only national public holiday in Nigeria for the month.
Source: Twitter
2026 Eid al-Fitr holiday expected in Nigeria
Work in ministries, government agencies, parastatals, and other public institutions may be suspended on March 20, 2026, with normal operations expected to resume the following week.
Ramadan, which precedes Eid al-Fitr, usually lasts 29 or 30 days.
Considering that Muslims in Nigeria started fasting on February 18, 2026, the fast is expected to end on March 18 or March 19, 2026, depending on lunar sightings.
Eid al-Fitr lasts for one day and is observed on the first day of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar, with the exact date determined by the sighting of the new moon.
Source: Twitter
Kano schools begin Eid holiday
Meanwhile, the Kano government has announced March 1, 2026, as the official start date for the Eid al-Fitr holiday for all public and private primary and post-primary schools in the state.
The announcement, made through a statement by Musbahu Aminu Yakasai, the Director of Public Enlightenment for the Kano State Ministry of Education, reportedly aligns with the approved 2025/2026 academic calendar, which indicates that the second term ended on February 28.
Yakasai said, according to a report by The Punch.
"All day and boarding schools across Kano State will commence their Sallah break from March 1. Parents and guardians are urged to ensure that pupils in boarding schools are conveyed home."
Furthermore, the statement outlined that boarding school pupils and students are expected to resume on March 22, while day students will resume on March 23, 2026.
It added that the second term would start on March 22 and end on April 18, 2026.
Read more on public holidays in Nigeria:
- Nigerian govt declares Eid-el-Maolud public holiday
- Isese Day: List of states that have declared Monday public holiday
- Isese Day: Nigerian governor declares Monday public holiday
Ogun state declares Golden Jubilee holiday
Legit.ng also reported that Governor Dapo Abiodun's administration had declared a public holiday in Ogun state.
An announcement confirmed the public holiday in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the creation of the state.
The secretary to the state government stated that the holiday would allow residents to take part in the programme.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
