- The committee confirmed that there were no verified reports of the Shawwal moon being seen on March 18,
- Eid-el-Fitr will be observed on Friday, March 20, 2026, while Muslims will complete the Ramadan fast on Thursday
Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has announced that the crescent moon marking the start of Shawwal was not sighted across Nigeria on Wednesday.
As a result, Eid-el-Fitr will be observed on Friday, March 20, 2026, while Muslims will complete the Ramadan fast on Thursday, Eko Hot Blog gathered.
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The decision was communicated through a statement issued by the Sultanate Council’s Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs in conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee.
The committee confirmed that there were no verified reports of the Shawwal moon being seen on March 18, the 29th day of Ramadan.
Accordingly, Thursday, March 19, has been designated as the 30th day of Ramadan in line with the Islamic lunar calendar.
In his capacity as President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, the Sultan approved the declaration, officially marking Friday as the first day of Shawwal 1447 AH and the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr.
The announcement is consistent with a similar declaration in Saudi Arabia, where authorities also confirmed that the Shawwal crescent was not sighted, extending Ramadan to 30 days.
Eid-el-Fitr, which signifies the end of Ramadan, is determined by the appearance of the new moon.
The holy month of Ramadan is one of Islam’s five pillars, during which Muslims fast from dawn to sunset and engage in increased prayer, reflection, and charitable acts.
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