Public Holidays in Nigeria 2026 and 2027: Full List with Dates

Public holidays in Nigeria 2026 and 2027

By the SkyKoda travel desk · Updated 27 October 2026

Short answer: Nigeria's public holidays in 2026: 1 January (New Year), 19–20 March (Eid-el-Fitr), 3 and 6 April (Easter), 1 May (Workers' Day), 27–28 May (Eid-el-Kabir), 12 June (Democracy Day), 25 August (Eid-el-Maulud), 1 October (Independence Day), and 25–26 December (Christmas and Boxing Day). Muslim holiday dates depend on the moon and are confirmed by the Federal Government a few days before.

Public holidays in Nigeria 2026

DateDayHolidayStatus
1 January 2026ThursdayNew Year's DayDeclared
19 March 2026ThursdayEid-el-FitrDeclared
20 March 2026FridayEid-el-Fitr (2nd day)Declared
3 April 2026FridayGood FridayDeclared
6 April 2026MondayEaster MondayDeclared
1 May 2026FridayWorkers' DayDeclared
27 May 2026WednesdayEid-el-KabirDeclared
28 May 2026ThursdayEid-el-Kabir (2nd day)Declared
12 June 2026FridayDemocracy DayDeclared
25 August 2026TuesdayEid-el-MauludDeclared
1 October 2026ThursdayIndependence DayDeclared
25 December 2026FridayChristmas DayFixed by law; formal declaration expected in December
26 December 2026SaturdayBoxing DayCustomary; falls on Saturday — Monday 28 Dec substitute not declared yet

Public holidays in Nigeria 2027

DateDayHolidayStatus
1 January 2027FridayNew Year's DayFixed
10 March 2027WednesdayEid-el-FitrESTIMATE (moon sighting); possibly 9–10 or 10–11 March, 2 days usually declared
26 March 2027FridayGood FridayFixed by church calendar (Easter Sunday 28 Mar 2027)
29 March 2027MondayEaster MondayFixed by church calendar
1 May 2027SaturdayWorkers' DayFixed; falls on Saturday — any Monday substitute only if FG declares
17 May 2027MondayEid-el-KabirESTIMATE (moon sighting); likely 17–18 May
12 June 2027SaturdayDemocracy DayFixed; falls on Saturday — any Monday substitute only if FG declares
15 August 2027SundayEid-el-MauludESTIMATE (moon sighting); falls on Sunday — Monday 16 Aug substitute possible, not declared
1 October 2027FridayIndependence DayFixed
25 December 2027SaturdayChristmas DayFixed; weekend
26 December 2027SundayBoxing DayCustomary; weekend — 27/28 Dec substitutes only if FG declares

Eid dates for 2027 are estimates until the Federal Government declares them.

Key facts

  • Public holidays are set by the Public Holidays Act; the Minister of Interior declares the Muslim festival dates each year and announces every holiday shortly before it. The President may appoint extra special days. placng.org
  • Democracy Day moved from 29 May to 12 June by the Public Holidays Act (Amendment) 2019, signed by President Buhari in June 2019. thisdaylive.com
  • 2026 Eid-el-Fitr: FG declared Thursday 19 and Friday 20 March 2026 (Ministry of Interior release, 17 Mar 2026). fmino.gov.ng
  • 2026 Easter: Good Friday 3 April and Easter Monday 6 April 2026 declared. nairametrics.com
  • 2026 Workers' Day: Friday 1 May 2026 declared (statement 29 Apr 2026). fmino.gov.ng
  • 2026 Eid-el-Kabir: Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 May 2026 declared (statement 25 May 2026, signed by Perm. Sec. Magdalene Ajani). prnigeria.com
  • 2026 Democracy Day: Friday 12 June 2026 declared (statement 11 Jun 2026). channelstv.com
  • 2026 Eid-el-Maulud (Eid ul Mawlid): Tuesday 25 August 2026 declared. interior.gov.ng
  • 2026 Independence Day: Thursday 1 October 2026 declared for the 66th anniversary (statement 30 Sep 2026). fmino.gov.ng
  • Previous Christmas season: FG declared Thu 25 Dec 2025, Fri 26 Dec 2025 (Boxing Day) and Thu 1 Jan 2026 as public holidays. nairametrics.com
  • Christmas 2026 (Fri 25 Dec) and Boxing Day (Sat 26 Dec) had not yet been formally declared as of 27 Oct 2026; whether a Monday 28 Dec substitute is given is not yet known. The Act's section 5 says a holiday on a Saturday/Sunday gets no day in lieu, but FG has often declared the next Monday anyway. placng.org
  • 2027 Islamic holiday dates are estimates (moon sighting; Sultan of Sokoto announces the start of Shawwal, FG then declares): Eid-el-Fitr ≈ 10–11 Mar 2027 (some calendars 9–10 Mar), Eid-el-Kabir ≈ 17–18 May 2027, Eid-el-Maulud ≈ Sun 15 Aug 2027. holidaydb.com

Travelling over a holiday?

Flights around Christmas, New Year, Easter and Sallah fill up and get more expensive. Book early, or lock today's fare with a deposit using Pay Small Small.

Common questions

How many public holidays does Nigeria have?

Usually 11–13 days a year: New Year, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Workers' Day, Democracy Day (12 June), Independence Day, Christmas, Boxing Day, plus Eid-el-Fitr and Eid-el-Kabir (often two days each) and Eid-el-Maulud. 2026 had 13 days.

Who declares public holidays in Nigeria?

The Federal Ministry of Interior announces each holiday on behalf of the Federal Government, usually a few days before; in 2026 the statements came from Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo via Permanent Secretary Magdalene Ajani.

When is Sallah (Eid-el-Kabir) in 2027?

Expected around 17–18 May 2027, but it depends on moon sighting; the Federal Government confirms the dates only days before.

Is Democracy Day 29 May or 12 June?

12 June, since the Public Holidays Act was amended in 2019. 29 May remains the handover/inauguration date but is no longer a public holiday.

What happens when a public holiday falls on a weekend?

The Public Holidays Act says no extra day is given in lieu, but the Federal Government has often declared the following Monday a holiday anyway: always wait for the Interior Ministry announcement.

Is Boxing Day a public holiday in Nigeria?

Yes, the FG declares it each year: e.g. Friday 26 Dec 2025 was declared alongside Christmas and New Year.

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Sources

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