Public holidays in Nigeria

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Nigeria has many public holidays declared by the government, as well as special days observed by the public. [1]

Contents

Public holidays

HolidayDateNotesRef.
New Year's Day 1 JanuaryCommemorates the beginning of the calendar year. [1]
Workers' Day 1 MayCommemorates Workers' Labour Movement internationally. [1]
Democracy Day 12 JuneCommemorates the return to democracy in Nigeria. [1]
Independence Day 1 OctoberCommemorates the Independence of Nigeria from Britain. [1]
Christmas Day 25 DecemberChristian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus. [1]
Boxing Day 26 DecemberChristian holiday commemorating the day after Christmas. [1]

Movable holidays

In addition, Nigeria officially celebrates a few moveable holidays, which occur on different dates every year. These include religious dates observed by different cultural groups. [2]

HolidayDateNotesRef.
Mawlid 12 Rabi' al-awwal Muslim holiday celebrating the birthday of Muhammad. [2]
Eid al-Adha 10 Dhu al-Hijjah Muslim holiday celebrating the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son.
Eid al-Fitr 1 Shawwal Muslim holiday celebrating the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting. [2]
Good Friday Friday before Easter (March or April)Christian holiday celebrating the crucifixion of Jesus.
Easter Easter (March or April)Christian holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus. [2]
Easter Monday Monday after Easter (March or April)Christian holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Public holidays and oda days of observance in Nigeria for 2025". BBC News Pidgin. 1 January 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Nigerian Food Habits". Fork, Fingers & Chopsticks. Fall 2001. Retrieved 2025-11-02 via Gale General OneFile.