The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has officially declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan in Nigeria.
The declaration followed the non-sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon across the country, meaning Ramadan will complete the full 30 days before the celebration of Eid. This aligns with similar announcements in countries like Saudi Arabia, where authorities also confirmed Friday as Eid day.
As the spiritual leader of Muslims in Nigeria and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), the Sultan traditionally makes the final decision on the start and end of Islamic months based on verified moon sightings nationwide.
The announcement comes after the Sultan had earlier urged Muslims to observe the skies for the crescent moon, with reports from across the country carefully verified before the official declaration was made.
With the declaration, millions of Muslims across Nigeria are expected to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr on Friday with prayers, feasting, and acts of charity. The Federal Government had already declared Thursday and Friday as public holidays to mark the occasion.
Eid-el-Fitr, one of the most important Islamic festivals, signifies the end of Ramadan—a month dedicated to fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection.
The Sultan also called on Muslims to continue to uphold the values of peace, unity, and compassion learned during Ramadan, while praying for stability and progress in Nigeria.
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