Nigeria declares September 5 public holiday for Eid-ul-Mawlid celebration

The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Friday, September 5, 2025, a public holiday in commemoration of Eid-ul-Mawlid, the annual celebration marking the birth of Prophet Muhammad.

The announcement was made in Abuja through a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. The holiday, which falls on a Friday, will suspend official, business, and financial activities nationwide.

In line with Nigeria’s long-standing tradition of observing major Islamic festivals, the government noted that the Eid-ul-Mawlid holiday provides an opportunity for reflection, communal prayer, and national unity.

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The timing also creates a three-day weekend, with economic analysts projecting a possible dip in liquidity and trading volumes on the Nigerian financial markets.

The Ministry of Interior called on Muslims to emulate the Prophet’s virtues of peace, compassion, and tolerance. It also urged Nigerians of all faiths to use the period to pray for national peace, security, and stability at a time of mounting socio-economic and security challenges.

Eid-ul-Mawlid remains one of the most widely observed Islamic events in Nigeria, a nation of diverse religious and cultural traditions, and the government’s declaration reinforces the official recognition of its significance in fostering spiritual and social cohesion.