The Sultanate Council has officially declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as the first day of Shawwal 1447AH, marking the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr across Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu.
The announcement followed the outcome of deliberations by the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs in collaboration with the National Moon Sighting Committee.
According to the statement, no verified reports of the new moon of Shawwal were received from moon sighting committees across the country on Wednesday, March 18, which corresponded to the 29th day of Ramadan.
As a result, Thursday, March 19, will be observed as the 30th and final day of Ramadan.
However, Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar who is also the President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, approved the report and formally declared Friday as Eid-el-Fitr.
In his message to Nigerian Muslims, the Sultan extended warm felicitations to the Nigerian Ummah, urging them to sustain the virtues of prayer, unity, and compassion cultivated during Ramadan.
He also called on Muslims to continue praying for peace, progress, and national development.
