Nigeria Public Holidays: Frequently Asked Questions

How many public holidays does Nigeria have?

Nigeria has 11 official statutory public holidays per year as prescribed by the Public Holidays Act. The list includes: New Year's Day (January 1), Good Friday (variable date), Easter Monday (variable date), Workers' Day (May 1), Eid al-Fitr (variable, 2 days), Eid al-Adha (variable, 2 days), Democracy Day (June 12), Id el-Maulud (variable), Independence Day (October 1), Christmas Day (December 25), and Boxing Day (December 26).

When Islamic holidays span two days (which is standard for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha), workers get two days off for each. The actual number of days off in any given year can be 13 or more depending on how the Islamic holidays fall.

What happens when a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday?

Nigeria does not grant substitute holidays. If a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the holiday is simply observed on that day and no replacement weekday is given. Workers who would normally have had that day off do not receive an extra day in lieu.

This is different from the practice in some other countries, like the United Kingdom or the United States, where a substitute holiday on the nearest Monday is observed when certain fixed-date holidays fall on weekends.

What is Sallah in Nigeria?

In everyday Nigerian speech, "Sallah" refers to the two major Islamic festivals that are federal public holidays. "Karamar Sallah" (Small Sallah) is the Hausa name for Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Ramadan fast. "Babbar Sallah" (Big Sallah) is the name for Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice.

The term Sallah comes from the Arabic word "salah" meaning prayer. In northern Nigeria particularly, the Sallah periods are among the most anticipated celebrations of the year, with family gatherings, new clothes, festive food, and the spectacular Durbar festivals in Emirate cities like Kano.

Are Islamic holidays on the same date every year?

No. Islamic holidays follow the Hijri calendar, which is a lunar calendar of 354 or 355 days, approximately 11 days shorter than the Gregorian solar calendar. As a result, Islamic holidays move roughly 10 to 11 days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar. Over a period of about 33 years, the Islamic holidays cycle through all the seasons.

The exact date of Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and Id el-Maulud in any given year also depends on the sighting of the crescent moon. In Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto, as the country's supreme Islamic authority, officially announces the dates after moon-sighting has been confirmed. The government then declares the public holidays accordingly, sometimes with only a day or two of notice.

Are public holidays the same in all Nigerian states?

Federal public holidays declared by the national government apply across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Every Nigerian worker covered by federal labour laws is entitled to these days off regardless of which state they work in.

State governments have the authority to declare additional holidays specific to their states. Some states with majority Muslim populations in the north observe additional Islamic observances. Some states also declare local holidays for significant occasions. However, the core list of federal holidays is consistent nationwide.

Is Good Friday a public holiday in Nigeria?

Yes. Good Friday is an official federal statutory public holiday in Nigeria. All government offices, banks, schools, and formal businesses close. Good Friday falls on the Friday before Easter Sunday and varies in date each year.

Is Easter Monday a public holiday in Nigeria?

Yes. Easter Monday is an official federal statutory public holiday in Nigeria. Together with Good Friday, it creates a four-day Easter weekend (Friday to Monday). Easter Monday falls on the Monday after Easter Sunday and varies in date each year.

Is Workers' Day / Labour Day a holiday in Nigeria?

Yes. Workers' Day (May 1) is an official federal public holiday in Nigeria. It is also called International Workers' Day or Labour Day. All workers are entitled to a day off with full pay.

Is Democracy Day a public holiday in Nigeria?

Yes. Democracy Day on June 12 is an official federal public holiday. The date was changed from May 29 to June 12 by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018 to honor the June 12, 1993 election won by MKO Abiola, which was subsequently annulled by the military government.

When is the next public holiday in Nigeria?

Check our Nigeria Public Holidays 2026 calendar for the complete list with all dates. Our calendar pages for 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029 list all official public holidays with exact dates.

What are the Islamic holidays in Nigeria?

Nigeria recognizes three Islamic public holidays:

Eid al-Fitr (Karamar Sallah) marks the end of Ramadan fasting. Two days are observed as public holidays.
Eid al-Adha (Babbar Sallah) is the Feast of Sacrifice, connected to the Hajj pilgrimage. Two days are observed.
Id el-Maulud (Eid el-Maulud) marks the birthday of Prophet Muhammad. One day is observed.

What are the Christian holidays in Nigeria?

Nigeria recognizes four Christian public holidays:

Good Friday: marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Easter Monday: the day after Easter Sunday, celebrating the resurrection.
Christmas Day (December 25): celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
Boxing Day (December 26): the day after Christmas, a British tradition maintained in Nigeria.

Are businesses required to pay workers on public holidays?

Yes. Under Nigerian labour law, workers covered by the Labour Act are entitled to full pay on public holidays even though they do not work. If a worker is required to work on a public holiday (as may be the case for essential service workers), they are typically entitled to additional compensation or a day off in lieu, depending on their employment terms and any applicable collective agreement.

Does Nigeria have school holidays based on the public holiday calendar?

Public holidays are non-school days in Nigeria. Beyond these statutory holidays, the Federal Ministry of Education sets school term dates and holiday periods separately. Schools observe public holidays automatically. The school calendar includes longer holiday periods (Christmas vacation, Easter vacation, mid-term breaks) that go beyond the specific public holiday dates.

Where can I find the official Nigerian public holiday list?

The Federal Ministry of Interior publishes official public holiday declarations. The Public Holidays Act sets the statutory framework. Our website publishes verified and up-to-date lists for 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029 checked against official government sources.

Contact: info@nigeriaholidays.com.ng