{"id":138,"date":"2015-03-16T15:43:58","date_gmt":"2015-03-16T14:43:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/buzznigeria.com\/?p=138"},"modified":"2024-01-13T12:36:53","modified_gmt":"2024-01-13T11:36:53","slug":"nigeria-public-holidays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buzznigeria.com\/nigeria-public-holidays\/","title":{"rendered":"Public Holidays in Nigeria for 2024 and 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

Public Holidays in Nigeria are usually between 13 and 15 days every year. It is on record that while countries like Mexico, Canada, and the UK get 8 public holidays in a year and South Africa, the USA, Spain, Italy, and Greece, get 12. Cambodia tops the list with 28 public holidays in a year; this is an average of 2.33 per month, making it the highest in the world at the moment.<\/p>\n

In Africa, Egypt tops the list with 21 public holidays in a year, and Nigeria is not left behind as it takes the stage as one of the countries in Africa with the highest number of holidays in a year observing between 13 and 15 public holidays annually. Since Christianity and Islam are the country’s most widely adopted religions, public holidays in Nigeria are mainly made of Christian and Islamic festivals. But then, the Nigerian public holidays are not only limited to these religious celebrations as the nation also observes national and international holidays.<\/p>\n

A Brief History of Public Holidays In Nigeria<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The law that establishes public holidays in Nigeria is known as the Public Holiday Act, enacted in \u00a0January 1979. The law nullified the previous public holidays observed in the country during the colonial rule and the first republic and established a new rule for making public holidays for the nation, its states, and local areas.<\/p>\n

With this new law, any sitting Nigerian President has the power to declare holidays either for the entire country or any state or part of the country it deems fit. Any sitting governor of any of the 36 States also has the power to declare public holidays in either their state or for any part of their state they deem fit. The law also grants the nation’s sitting Minister for Internal Affairs the right to change designated holiday dates when they feel it is necessary or appropriate to do so.<\/p>\n

\"Nigerian<\/p>\n

Moveable And Immovable Holidays In Nigeria<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There are two types of holidays: moveable and immovable holidays, and holidays in Nigeria fall into these categories.\u00a0A moveable is a holiday whose date is not fixed to a particular day in a calendar year, meaning it can occur on different dates every year.<\/p>\n

Immoveable or fixed holidays are holiday that occurs on the same date every year irrespective of the weekday it falls on. In some countries, like Nigeria, if the holiday falls on a weekend or clashes with another holiday, the day after may be taken as a holiday in lieu of the holiday.<\/p>\n

There are 4 Christian holidays in the country: Easter Monday, Good Friday, Boxing Day, and Christmas Day, and 4 Islamic holidays: Ramadan, Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid-el Kabir.<\/p>\n

Movable Holidays in Nigeria<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Holiday<\/b><\/strong><\/td>\nCelebrations<\/b><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Easter Monday<\/td>\nChristian holiday celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Eid al-Adha<\/td>\nThis is a Muslim festival to commemorate the willingness and obedience of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ishmael.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Eid al-Fitr<\/td>\nRamadan is the Islamic calendar’s ninth month and focuses on devotion to Allah and self-sacrifice.\u00a0 Ramadan comes to an end with the Eid al-Fitr festival, with Muslims celebrating the end of Ramadan.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Good Friday<\/td>\nThis holiday is observed on Friday coming before Easter Sunday, commemorating the suffering or the passion of Jesus Christ and his death on the cross.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mawlid<\/td>\nMuslim holiday celebrating the birthday of\u00a0Prophet Muhammad.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Immovable\/Fixed Holidays in Nigeria<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Holiday<\/b><\/strong><\/td>\nDate<\/b><\/strong><\/td>\nCelebration<\/b><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Boxing Day<\/td>\nDecember 26<\/td>\nChristian holiday commemorating the day after Christmas.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Children’s Day<\/td>\nMay 27<\/td>\nSchool holiday for Children.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Christmas Day<\/td>\nDecember 25<\/td>\nChristian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus and celebrated December 25 every year.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

National And International Public Holiday Observations In Nigeria<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Apart from the above Nigerian Public Holidays, the country also observes international celebrations such as Worker’s and New Year Day and some national commemorations.<\/p>\n

Some of these commemorations include Democracy Day, which takes place every June 12 (Formerly May 29). Democracy day in Nigeria commemorates the formal end of military rule in the nation and the enthronement of civilian rule. The other national commemoration is Independence Day, which takes place every October 01.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Holiday<\/strong><\/td>\nDate\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nCelebration<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New Year’s Day<\/td>\nJanuary 01<\/td>\nCommemorates the beginning of the calendar year.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Workers’ Day<\/td>\nMay 01<\/td>\nCommemorates the Workers’ labour movement internationally.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Democracy Day<\/td>\nJune 12<\/td>\nCommemorates the return to Democracy in Nigeria. It was formerly celebrated on May 29.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Independence Day<\/td>\nOctober 01<\/td>\nCommemorates the Independence of Nigeria from\u00a0Britain.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\"Trending
(Image Source<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nigeria Public Holidays for 2024<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Here is a breakdown of all the official public holidays Nigeria will observe in 2024. However, it should be noted that there could be more holidays as the government can declare public for some other reasons or celebrations outside these ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Holiday<\/th>\nDate<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
New Year’s Day<\/td>\nMonday, January 01, 2024<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Good Friday<\/td>\nFriday, Mar 29, 2024<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Easter Monday<\/td>\nMonday, 1 Apr, 2024<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Id el Fitr (Tentative Date)<\/td>\nWednesday, April 10, 2024<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Id el Fitr holiday (Tentative Date)<\/td>\nThursday, April 11, 2024<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Workers’ Day<\/td>\nWednesday, May 01, 2024<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Children’s Day<\/td>\nMonday, May 27, 2024<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Democracy Day<\/td>\nWednesday, June 12, 2024<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Id el Kabir<\/td>\nMonday, June 17, 2024<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Id el Kabir Holiday<\/td>\nTuesday, June 18, 2024<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Id el Maulud (Tentative Date)<\/td>\nSeptember 16, 2024<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Independence Day<\/td>\nTuesday, October 1, 2024<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Christmas<\/td>\nWednesday, December 25, 2024<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Boxing Day<\/td>\nThursday, December 26, 2024<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

It should also be noted that some of these holidays that fall on weekends or clash with another holiday, may be taken the day after as a holiday in lieu of the holiday.<\/p>\n

\"\"
image source<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nigeria Public Holidays for 2025<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Here is a breakdown of all the official public holidays Nigeria will observe in 2025. However, it should be noted that there could be more holidays as the government can declare public for some other reasons or celebrations outside these ones. Some of the dates for the Islamic holidays are tentative and may not be the exact dates stated below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Holiday<\/th>\nDate<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
New Year’s Day<\/td>\nWednesday, January 01, 2025<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Id el Fitr (Tentative Date)<\/td>\nMonday, March 31, 2025<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Id el Fitr holiday (Tentative Date)<\/td>\nTuesday, April 01, 2025<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
IdGood Friday<\/td>\nFriday, April 18, 2025<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Easter Monday<\/td>\nMonday, April 21, 2025<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Workers’ Day<\/td>\nThursday, May 01, 2025<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Id el Kabir (Tentative Date)<\/td>\nSaturday, June 07, 2023<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Id el Kabir additional holiday (Tentative Date)<\/td>\nThursday, June 08, 2025<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Democracy Day<\/td>\nWednesday, June 12, 2025<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
IId el Maulud (Tentative Date)<\/td>\nFriday, September 05, 2025<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Independence\u00a0 Day<\/td>\nWednesday, October 01, 2025<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Christmas<\/td>\nThursday, December 25, 2025<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Boxing Day<\/td>\nFriday, December 26, 2025<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Public Holidays in Nigeria are usually between 13 and 15 days every year. It is on record that while countries like Mexico, Canada, and the UK get 8 public holidays in a year and South Africa, the USA, Spain, Italy, and Greece, get 12. Cambodia tops the list with 28 public holidays in a year; […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3626,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"_oasis_task_priority":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[42],"tags":[502],"yoast_head":"\nPublic Holidays in Nigeria for 2024 and 2025<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Public holidays in Nigeria is usually between 13 to 15 days annually, making it one of the counties with the highest public holiday celebrations in Africa. 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