The Sultanate Council, Sokoto, has declared Friday as the first day of Shawwal 1447AH, marking the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr across Nigeria.
This was announced in a press statement by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto, Sambo Wali Junaidu, on Wednesday.
The council based the announcement on the non-sighting of the Shawwal 1447AH new moon on Wednesday, the 29th day of Ramadan.
When the crescent is not sighted on the 29th day of Ramadan, the month is completed as 30 days, after which Eid-el-Fitr is observed the following day.
In Islam, the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal are determined by the sighting of the crescent moon, a practice rooted in the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, coordinates moon sighting efforts across Nigeria through a network of committees to ensure a unified announcement for Muslims in the country.
According to the statement, “No report was received from various Moon Sighting Committees across the country confirming the sighting of the new moon of Shawwal 1447AH on Wednesday, March 18, which corresponded with the 29th day of Ramadan.
“Therefore, Thursday, 19th March 2026, is the 30th day of the month of Ramadan 1447AH,” the statement added.
“The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, accepted the report and accordingly declared Friday, 20th March 2026, as the first day of Shawwal 1447AH (Day of Eid-el-Fitr),” the statement added.
Felicitating with Muslims, the Sultan urged continued prayers for national peace and development.
“His Eminence felicitates with the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and wishes them Allah’s guidance and blessings,” the statement read.
The Sultan expressed hope that the spiritual benefits of Ramadan would be sustained beyond the fasting period, praying that “Allah (SWT) accept our religious deeds.”
Ahead of Friday’s celebration, commands of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have deployed hundreds of personnel across the country.
The deployment directives mandate personnel to safeguard flashpoints, including shopping malls, Eid prayer grounds, mosques, churches, motor parks and recreation centres.
They also include routine patrols, visibility policing and a show of force, with special focus on crimes associated with festivities such as phone snatching, pickpocketing and traffic-related offences.
On Tuesday, the Federal Government declared Thursday and Friday as public holidays to mark the celebration of Eid‑el‑Fitr, which signifies the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The NSCDC said it had deployed over 53,500 personnel nationwide to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free celebration.
The Commandant-General of the corps, Abubakar Audi, in a statement by the NSCDC spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, said the deployment included tactical operatives and intelligence squads strategically positioned across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Audi directed his men to address emerging threats and safeguard critical national assets and infrastructure during the festive period.
He also tasked all provosts of colleges, zonal commanders and state commandants to ensure adequate security coverage within their jurisdictions.
“Identified flashpoints such as shopping malls, Eid prayer grounds, mosques, churches, motor parks, recreation centres and other public spaces are to be closely monitored and manned by both uniformed and undercover operatives to nip any criminal activity in the bud.
