Public Holidays In Nigeria (2023)

In this comprehensive overview of Nigeria’s holidays and observances throughout the year, we explore the cultural richness and diversity of the country. The year begins with New Year’s Day, a public holiday marked by family gatherings and festivities, followed by an additional day off to extend the celebrations. Valentine’s Day, Ash Wednesday, Women’s Day, and Mothering Sunday are among the observances in the first quarter of the year.

The start of Ramadan, Good Friday, Easter, and Id el Fitr are significant religious events in the following months. Workers’ Day, Children’s Day, and Democracy Day are other notable public holidays. The year concludes with Sambisa Memorial Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Eve. Each of these holidays and observances reflects the unique cultural tapestry of Nigeria, showcasing the country’s religious diversity, social values, and historical milestones.

New Year’s Day
Date: 1 Jan
Day: Sunday
Name: New Year’s Day
Type: Public Holiday
Description: New Year’s Day is celebrated on January 1 every year, marking the start of a new calendar year. Nigerians celebrate it with public and private events, including family gatherings, fireworks, and religious ceremonies.

Day off for New Year’s Day
Date: 2 Jan
Day: Monday
Name: Day off for New Year’s Day
Type: Public Holiday
Description: This is an additional public holiday observed to extend the New Year celebrations, allowing people to rest or spend more time with family and friends.

Valentine’s Day
Date: 14 Feb
Day: Tuesday
Name: Valentine’s Day
Type: Observance
Description: Valentine’s Day is an observance celebrated worldwide, associated with the idea of love. Nigerians celebrate by expressing affection to their loved ones through gifts, romantic meals, or special activities.

Ash Wednesday
Date: 22 Feb
Day: Wednesday
Name: Ash Wednesday
Type: Observance, Christian
Description: Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent in the Christian calendar. It is a day of fasting and repentance, where ashes are applied to the foreheads of believers to symbolize mourning and penance.

Women’s Day
Date: 8 Mar
Day: Wednesday
Name: Women’s Day
Type: Observance
Description: Women’s Day is observed to honor women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. It’s a day for advocacy of women’s rights and gender equality.

Mothering Sunday
Date: 19 Mar
Day: Sunday
Name: Mothering Sunday
Type: Observance
Description: Mothering Sunday is a Christian tradition in Nigeria, celebrated on the fourth Sunday in Lent. It is a day to honor mothers and mother figures, often marked by gifts and special meals.

March Equinox
Date: 20 Mar
Day: Monday
Name: March Equinox
Type: Season
Description: The March Equinox marks the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. It is not a public holiday, but it is recognized as the time of the year when day and night are approximately equal.

Ramadan Start
Date: 23 Mar
Day: Thursday
Name: Ramadan Start
Type: Observance
Description: The start of Ramadan, a holy month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community for Muslims worldwide. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Good Friday
Date: 7 Apr
Day: Friday
Name: Good Friday
Type: Public Holiday
Description: Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. It is observed by Christians with fasting, processions, and church services.

Holy Saturday
Date: 8 Apr
Day: Saturday
Name: Holy Saturday
Type: Observance, Christian
Description: Holy Saturday, also known as Easter Eve, commemorates the day that Jesus Christ lay in the tomb after his death. It is the day before Easter Sunday.

Easter Sunday
Date: 9 Apr
Day: Sunday
Name: Easter Sunday
Type: Observance, Christian
Description: Easter Sunday is the most important Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, as described in the New Testament. In Nigeria, it is marked by church services and festive family meals.

Easter Monday
Date: 10 Apr
Day: Monday
Name: Easter Monday
Type: Public Holiday
Description: Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday, celebrated as a public holiday in Nigeria. It often includes outdoor festivals and sporting events.

Id el Fitr
Date: 21 Apr
Day: Friday
Name: Id el Fitr
Type: Public Holiday
Description: Id el Fitr, also known as Eid al-Fitr, is a significant Islamic festival that marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. It is a day of feasting, gift-giving, and charity.

Id el Fitr holiday
Date: 24 Apr
Day: Monday
Name: Id el Fitr holiday
Type: Public Holiday
Description: This is an additional holiday to prolong the Id el Fitr celebrations. It allows more time for religious observances, family gatherings, and feasting.

Workers’ Day
Date: 1 May
Day: Monday
Name: Workers’ Day
Type: Public Holiday
Description: Also known as Labor Day, Workers’ Day celebrates the social and economic achievements of workers. Parades and rallies by labor unions often mark it.

Children’s Day
Date: 27 May
Day: Saturday
Name: Children’s Day
Type: Observance
Description: Children’s Day in Nigeria is dedicated to the welfare and rights of children. It includes activities such as costume parties, gifts to children, and advocacy for children’s rights.

Democracy Day
Date: 12 Jun
Day: Monday
Name: Democracy Day
Type: Public Holiday
Description: Democracy Day marks the day when Nigeria transitioned to democratic rule in 1999. It is a day for Nigerians to celebrate their freedom and remember their history.

Father’s Day
Date: 18 Jun
Day: Sunday
Name: Father’s Day
Type: Observance
Description: Father’s Day is a celebration honoring fathers and father figures. It is a day for expressing gratitude and love to fathers with gifts, special meals, or activities.

June Solstice
Date: 21 Jun
Day: Wednesday
Name: June Solstice
Type: Season
Description: The June Solstice marks the first day of summer in the northern hemisphere. It is the longest day of the year when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky.

Id el Kabir
Date: 29 Jun
Day: Thursday
Name: Id el Kabir
Type: Public Holiday
Description: Id el Kabir, also known as Eid al-Adha, is an Islamic festival that commemorates Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God.

Id el Kabir additional holiday
Date: 30 Jun
Day: Friday
Name: Id el Kabir additional holiday
Type: Public Holiday
Description: This additional holiday prolongs the Id el Kabir celebrations, providing more time for religious observances, family gatherings, and feasting.

Al-Hijra
Date: 19 Jul
Day: Wednesday
Name: Al-Hijra
Type: Local holiday
Description: Al-Hijra marks the Islamic New Year. It commemorates the migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. The day is marked by prayers and reflection.

Isese Day
Date: 20 Aug
Day: Sunday
Name: Isese Day
Type: Local holiday
Description: Isese Day is a local holiday in the Osun state, celebrating the Yoruba religion and traditions. It typically involves cultural events, processions, and traditional rites.

September Equinox
Date: 23 Sep
Day: Saturday
Name: September Equinox
Type: Season
Description: The September Equinox marks the first day of autumn in the northern hemisphere. It is a time when day and night are approximately equal.

Id el Maulud
Date: 27 Sep
Day: Wednesday
Name: Id el Maulud
Type: Public Holiday
Description: Id el Maulud, or Mawlid, celebrates the birth of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. It is marked by communal meals, night-long vigils, and recitation of litanies.

National Day
Date: 1 Oct
Day: Sunday
Name: National Day
Type: Public Holiday
Description: National Day marks Nigeria’s independence from British rule in 1960. It is celebrated with military parades, cultural performances, and speeches by political leaders.

Day off for National Day
Date: 2 Oct
Day: Monday
Name: Day off for National Day
Type: Public Holiday
Description: This additional holiday is given to prolong the National Day celebrations, providing an opportunity for more festivities or rest.

Sambisa Memorial Day
Date: 22 Dec
Day: Friday
Name: Sambisa Memorial Day
Type: Local holiday
Description: Sambisa Memorial Day is a local holiday in Borno state, commemorating the victims of Boko Haram attacks. It involves memorial events and prayers for peace.

December Solstice
Date: 22 Dec
Day: Friday
Name: December Solstice
Type: Season
Description: The December Solstice marks the start of winter in the northern hemisphere. It is the shortest day of the year, with the sun at its lowest point in the sky.

Christmas Eve
Date: 24 Dec
Day: Sunday
Name: Christmas Eve
Type: Observance, Christian
Description: Christmas Eve is the day before Christmas Day. It is often marked by special church services, meals, and the anticipation of the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth.

Christmas Day
Date: 25 Dec
Day: Monday
Name: Christmas Day
Type: Public Holiday
Description: Christmas Day is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a day of joy and celebration, marked by gift-giving, special meals, and family gatherings.

Boxing Day
Date: 26 Dec
Day: Tuesday
Name: Boxing Day
Type: Public Holiday
Description: Boxing Day is a day off for many workers in Nigeria. It is traditionally a day to give gifts to service workers and those less fortunate.

New Year’s Eve
Date: 31 Dec
Day: Sunday
Name: New Year’s Eve
Type: Observance
Description: New Year’s Eve is the final day of the year. It is often celebrated with parties, events, and fireworks that continue into the early hours of the New Year.