Nigeria Public Holidays
2026 & 2027
Complete official list of all Nigerian public holidays for 2026 and 2027. Dates for federal, Islamic and Christian holidays as gazetted under the Public Holidays Act (Cap P40, LFN 2004).
About Nigerian Public Holidays
Nigeria has 13 statutory public holidays gazetted under the Public Holidays Act (Cap P40, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004). These holidays apply to all federal government workers and are observed nationally. State governments may declare additional public holidays within their states.
Islamic holidays — Eid el-Fitr, Eid el-Kabir and Eid el-Maulud — are determined by the sighting of the moon and official dates may shift by one day from the estimates shown here. The Federal Government announces confirmed dates through the Ministry of Interior.
| Date | Day | Holiday | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2026 | Wednesday |
New Year's Day
Federal
|
Celebrates the start of the new year. A statutory public holiday under the Public Holidays Act. |
| Feb 18, 2026 | Tuesday |
Eid el-Maulud (Prophet's Birthday)
Islamic
|
Celebrates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Date subject to moon sighting. |
| Apr 18, 2026 | Friday |
Good Friday
Christian
|
Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Observed by Christians across Nigeria. |
| Apr 21, 2026 | Monday |
Easter Monday
Christian
|
The day after Easter Sunday. A statutory Christian public holiday. |
| May 1, 2026 | Thursday |
Workers' Day (Labour Day)
Federal
|
International Workers' Day, recognising the contributions of Nigerian workers. |
| Jun 6, 2026 | Friday |
Eid el-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
Islamic
|
Marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. One of the most important Islamic celebrations. Date subject to moon sighting. |
| Jun 9, 2026 | Monday |
Eid el-Fitr Holiday
Islamic
|
Additional holiday to allow celebrations to continue following Eid el-Fitr. |
| Jun 12, 2026 | Thursday |
Democracy Day
Federal
|
Commemorates the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by M.K.O. Abiola, widely considered the freest election in Nigerian history. Changed from May 29 in 2018. |
| Aug 11, 2026 | Monday |
Eid el-Kabir (Eid al-Adha)
Islamic
|
Feast of Sacrifice, commemorating Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son. Date subject to moon sighting. |
| Aug 12, 2026 | Tuesday |
Eid el-Kabir Holiday
Islamic
|
Second day of Eid el-Kabir celebrations. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Wednesday |
Independence Day
Federal
|
Nigeria's National Day, marking independence from British rule on October 1, 1960. |
| Nov 5, 2026 | Wednesday |
Eid el-Maulud (Prophet's Birthday)
Islamic
|
Celebrates the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Date subject to moon sighting. |
| Dec 25, 2026 | Thursday |
Christmas Day
Christian
|
Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. One of the most widely observed holidays in Nigeria. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Friday |
Boxing Day
Christian
|
The day after Christmas, a statutory public holiday and a time for family gatherings. |
| Date | Day | Holiday | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2027 | Thursday |
New Year's Day
Federal
|
Celebrates the start of the new year. |
| Mar 20, 2027 | Friday |
Eid el-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
Islamic
|
Marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Date subject to moon sighting. |
| Mar 23, 2027 | Monday |
Eid el-Fitr Holiday
Islamic
|
Additional holiday following Eid el-Fitr. |
| Apr 3, 2027 | Friday |
Good Friday
Christian
|
Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. |
| Apr 6, 2027 | Monday |
Easter Monday
Christian
|
The day after Easter Sunday. |
| May 1, 2027 | Friday |
Workers' Day (Labour Day)
Federal
|
International Workers' Day. |
| May 27, 2027 | Wednesday |
Eid el-Kabir (Eid al-Adha)
Islamic
|
Feast of Sacrifice. Date subject to moon sighting. |
| May 28, 2027 | Thursday |
Eid el-Kabir Holiday
Islamic
|
Second day of Eid el-Kabir celebrations. |
| Jun 12, 2027 | Friday |
Democracy Day
Federal
|
Commemorates the June 12, 1993 presidential election. |
| Oct 1, 2027 | Thursday |
Independence Day
Federal
|
Nigeria's National Day — 66 years of independence. |
| Nov 20, 2027 | Friday |
Eid el-Maulud (Prophet's Birthday)
Islamic
|
Celebrates the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Date subject to moon sighting. |
| Dec 25, 2027 | Friday |
Christmas Day
Christian
|
Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. |
| Dec 26, 2027 | Saturday |
Boxing Day
Christian
|
The day after Christmas. |
Nigeria has 13 statutory public holidays recognised under the Public Holidays Act (Cap P40, LFN 2004). These include New Year's Day, Workers' Day, Democracy Day, Independence Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Boxing Day, Christmas Day, and four Islamic holidays (Eid el-Fitr, its holiday, Eid el-Kabir, its holiday, and Eid el-Maulud).
Nigeria's Independence Day is October 1 every year. It marks the date Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule on October 1, 1960. It is one of the most important national holidays and is marked by parades, presidential addresses and nationwide celebrations.
Nigeria's Democracy Day is June 12 every year. It commemorates the presidential election of June 12, 1993, which was won by Chief M.K.O. Abiola and is widely considered the freest election in Nigerian history. President Muhammadu Buhari moved the holiday from May 29 to June 12 in 2018.
No. Islamic public holidays — Eid el-Fitr (end of Ramadan), Eid el-Kabir (Eid al-Adha) and Eid el-Maulud (Prophet's Birthday) — are determined by the sighting of the moon and may shift by one day from published estimates. The Federal Government officially announces confirmed dates through the Ministry of Interior, usually 1-3 days before the holiday.
Yes. Boxing Day on December 26 is a statutory public holiday in Nigeria, gazetted under the Public Holidays Act. It is the day after Christmas and is widely observed across the country with family gatherings and leisure activities.
Workers' Day (also called Labour Day) is celebrated on May 1 every year in Nigeria, in line with international practice. It is a statutory public holiday that recognises the contributions of Nigerian workers. The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) typically hold rallies and marches on this day.
Yes. State governments in Nigeria have the authority to declare additional public holidays within their states, above and beyond the 13 federal statutory holidays. For example, some states observe additional Christian or Islamic holidays, or declare public holidays to mark significant local events such as state creation anniversaries.