FG Approves Thursday As Extra Holiday For Eid-El-Fitr Celebration

The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially declared Thursday, April 11th, 2024, as an additional public holiday to observe this year’s Eid-El-Fitr celebration. This announcement was made in a statement early on Tuesday morning by Aishetu Gogo Ndayako, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji Ojo.

The statement conveyed the Minister of Interior’s congratulations to the Muslim Ummah for the successful completion of a month of spiritual rejuvenation. It also reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s (GCFR) steadfast commitment to ensuring a safe and prosperous Nigeria for all citizens.

Previously, the Federal Government had designated Tuesday, April 9th, and Wednesday, April 10th, 2024, as public holidays for the Eid-el-Fitr celebration. However, the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar, declared that the Eid-el-Fitr in Nigeria would be celebrated on Wednesday, April 10th, as the new crescent moon was not sighted in the country on Monday night.

Consequently, Muslim faithful across the country observed the Ramadan fast on Tuesday. The decision was based on reports from National Moon Sighting Committees across Nigeria confirming the non-sighting of the new moon.

In response to this development, the federal government declared Thursday, April 11th, 2024, as an additional holiday to celebrate Eid-El-Fitr.