Jan
01 Jan 2026
Thursday
New Year's Day marks the first day of the year and is observed nationwide as a public holiday in Nigeria.
Nigeria Public Holidays 2026
Public holidays and observances for 2026, with downloadable calendar files and concise planning notes.
Jump to holiday list ↓| Holiday | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| January | ||
|
01
Jan
Thursday, 2026
|
New Year's Day marks the first day of the year and is observed nationwide as a public holiday in Nigeria. | |
| February | ||
|
Valentine's Day
Observance
|
14
Feb
Saturday, 2026
|
Valentine's Day is a cultural observance focused on appreciation, relationships, and social activities. |
|
Ash Wednesday
Observance
|
18
Feb
Wednesday, 2026
|
Ash Wednesday begins the Lenten season in many Christian communities and is observed with church services. |
|
Ramadan Start
Observance
|
18
Feb
Wednesday, 2026
|
Ramadan Start marks the beginning of the fasting month for Muslims and is treated as an observance for planning. |
| March | ||
|
Women's Day
Observance
|
08
Mar
Sunday, 2026
|
Women's Day is an observance highlighting women's achievements and gender-equality themes. |
|
Mothering Sunday
Observance
|
15
Mar
Sunday, 2026
|
Mothering Sunday is an observance that celebrates mothers and family life in Christian communities. |
|
19
Mar
Thursday, 2026
|
This additional holiday supports Eid al-Fitr celebrations and extends public holiday observance. | |
|
20
Mar
Friday, 2026
|
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated with prayers, charity, and family visits. | |
| April | ||
|
03
Apr
Friday, 2026
|
Good Friday is a Christian public holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. | |
|
Holy Saturday
Observance
|
04
Apr
Saturday, 2026
|
Holy Saturday is observed between Good Friday and Easter Sunday in the Christian calendar. |
|
Easter Sunday
Observance
|
05
Apr
Sunday, 2026
|
Easter Sunday is a major Christian observance celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. |
|
06
Apr
Monday, 2026
|
Easter Monday is observed as a public holiday in Nigeria and is often used for family visits and travel. | |
| May | ||
|
01
May
Friday, 2026
|
Workers' Day honors workers and labor contributions and is observed nationally as a public holiday on 1 May. | |
|
Children's Day
Observance
|
27
May
Wednesday, 2026
|
Children's Day is an observance focused on child welfare, education, and youth development. |
|
27
May
Wednesday, 2026
|
Eid al-Adha commemorates Ibrahim's devotion and is observed with prayers, charity, and family gatherings. | |
|
28
May
Thursday, 2026
|
Id el Kabir Holiday is observed as a public holiday in Nigeria. | |
| June | ||
|
12
Jun
Friday, 2026
|
Democracy Day commemorates Nigeria's democratic journey and is observed nationally as a public holiday. | |
|
Al-Hijra
Observance
|
16
Jun
Tuesday, 2026
|
Al-Hijra marks the Islamic New Year and is observed by Muslim communities across Nigeria. |
|
Father's Day
Observance
|
21
Jun
Sunday, 2026
|
Father's Day is an observance celebrating fathers and parental contributions in family life. |
| August | ||
|
25
Aug
Tuesday, 2026
|
Eid al-Maulud commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad and is observed nationally. | |
| October | ||
|
01
Oct
Thursday, 2026
|
National Day marks Nigeria's independence and is observed nationwide as a public holiday on 1 October. | |
| December | ||
|
Christmas Eve
Observance
|
24
Dec
Thursday, 2026
|
Christmas Eve is widely observed with church events and family preparations ahead of Christmas Day. |
|
25
Dec
Friday, 2026
|
Christmas Day is a national public holiday celebrated with worship, family gatherings, and community events. | |
|
26
Dec
Saturday, 2026
|
Boxing Day is a public holiday observed on 26 December and commonly used for travel and family time. | |
|
New Year's Eve
Observance
|
31
Dec
Thursday, 2026
|
New Year's Eve is widely observed with community celebrations, church services, and family gatherings across Nigeria. |
Feb
14 Feb 2026
Saturday
Observance
Valentine's Day is a cultural observance focused on appreciation, relationships, and social activities.
Feb
18 Feb 2026
Wednesday
Observance
Ash Wednesday begins the Lenten season in many Christian communities and is observed with church services.
Feb
18 Feb 2026
Wednesday
Observance
Ramadan Start marks the beginning of the fasting month for Muslims and is treated as an observance for planning.
Mar
08 Mar 2026
Sunday
Observance
Women's Day is an observance highlighting women's achievements and gender-equality themes.
Mar
15 Mar 2026
Sunday
Observance
Mothering Sunday is an observance that celebrates mothers and family life in Christian communities.
19 Mar 2026
Thursday
This additional holiday supports Eid al-Fitr celebrations and extends public holiday observance.
Mar
20 Mar 2026
Friday
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated with prayers, charity, and family visits.
Apr
03 Apr 2026
Friday
Good Friday is a Christian public holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Apr
04 Apr 2026
Saturday
Observance
Holy Saturday is observed between Good Friday and Easter Sunday in the Christian calendar.
Apr
05 Apr 2026
Sunday
Observance
Easter Sunday is a major Christian observance celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Apr
06 Apr 2026
Monday
Easter Monday is observed as a public holiday in Nigeria and is often used for family visits and travel.
May
01 May 2026
Friday
Workers' Day honors workers and labor contributions and is observed nationally as a public holiday on 1 May.
May
27 May 2026
Wednesday
Observance
Children's Day is an observance focused on child welfare, education, and youth development.
May
27 May 2026
Wednesday
Eid al-Adha commemorates Ibrahim's devotion and is observed with prayers, charity, and family gatherings.
Paid planner pack
Maximize your leave in 2026
Get the Nigeria 2026 Leave Planner (Excel + PDF).
28 May 2026
Thursday
Id el Kabir Holiday is observed as a public holiday in Nigeria.
Jun
12 Jun 2026
Friday
Democracy Day commemorates Nigeria's democratic journey and is observed nationally as a public holiday.
Jun
16 Jun 2026
Tuesday
Observance
Al-Hijra marks the Islamic New Year and is observed by Muslim communities across Nigeria.
Jun
21 Jun 2026
Sunday
Observance
Father's Day is an observance celebrating fathers and parental contributions in family life.
Aug
25 Aug 2026
Tuesday
Eid al-Maulud commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad and is observed nationally.
Oct
01 Oct 2026
Thursday
National Day marks Nigeria's independence and is observed nationwide as a public holiday on 1 October.
Dec
24 Dec 2026
Thursday
Observance
Christmas Eve is widely observed with church events and family preparations ahead of Christmas Day.
Dec
25 Dec 2026
Friday
Christmas Day is a national public holiday celebrated with worship, family gatherings, and community events.
Dec
26 Dec 2026
Saturday
Boxing Day is a public holiday observed on 26 December and commonly used for travel and family time.
Dec
31 Dec 2026
Thursday
Observance
New Year's Eve is widely observed with community celebrations, church services, and family gatherings across Nigeria.
Long weekends in 2026
- Eid El-Fitr • Fri, 20 Mar
- Good Friday • Fri, 03 Apr
- Easter Monday • Mon, 06 Apr
- Workers' Day • Fri, 01 May
- Democracy Day • Fri, 12 Jun
- Christmas Day • Fri, 25 Dec
Method: Friday or Monday public holiday.
FAQ for 2026
- How many public holidays are in Nigeria in 2026?
- There are 13 public holidays listed for 2026.
- Are Eid dates tentative?
- No holidays are currently marked tentative in this year's source data.
- What is the difference between public holidays and observances?
- Public holidays are official non-working days; observances are commemorative dates and may remain working days.