FG Announces Additional Public Holiday for Eid-El-Fitr 2024 Celebrations

The Nigerian government has extended this year’s Eid-El-Fitr celebrations by declaring Thursday, April 11, 2024, as an additional public holiday.

This decision follows the initial declaration of Tuesday and Wednesday, April 9 and 10, 2024, as holidays to mark the end of Ramadan.

The adjustment comes after the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, who also serves as the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), announced Wednesday, April 10, 2024, as the official date for Eid-El-Fitr celebrations across Nigeria. This announcement was made after it was confirmed that the crescent moon, which signifies the end of Ramadan, had not been sighted on Monday.

As a result of the moon not being sighted, Muslims in Nigeria were required to continue fasting through Tuesday, with the celebration of Eid-El-Fitr set for Wednesday. This decision aligns with similar announcements from Saudi Arabia, indicating that the crescent moon was not observed, thus extending the fasting period to Tuesday with Eid-El-Fitr being celebrated on Wednesday, April 10.

In light of the updated celebration date, Dr. Aishetu Ndayako, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, released a statement via the ministry’s X account. The statement emphasized the government’s approval of an additional holiday on Thursday, April 11, 2024, to ensure a full celebration of Eid-El-Fitr this year.