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The Palace of the Sultanate Council of Sokoto has announced that Muslims in Nigeria will begin the Ramadan fast on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
In a statement released on Tuesday night, the palace of the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, said reports confirming the sighting of the new moon were received from different parts of the country.
The statement said the moon sighting marks the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, a period during which Muslims around the world observe fasting as one of the five pillars of Islam.
“Reports of the sighting of the moon were received from various locations across the country,” the statement said.
Based on the confirmed reports, the palace declared Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as the first day of Ramadan 1447AH in Nigeria.
Ramadan is a sacred month in Islam during which Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, engage in prayers, and carry out acts of charity and devotion.
The crescent moon has been sighted on Saturday, 29 March 2025 and with the sighting of the Shawwal moon, the holy month of Ramadan comes to an end.
It also marks the beginning of the festival of Eid al-Fitr.
Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and is observed by Muslims as an act of worship and a means of spiritual purification through charity and good deeds.
Saudi Arabia had more than 10 astronomical observatories used to search for the crescent moon to determine the start and end of the Islamic lunar calendar, including Ramadan and Eid.
This means Sunday, March 30, will be the first day of Eid Al Fitr in Saudi Arabia.
The Eastern Updates had reported that The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, on Sunday described the decision by some northern state governments to close all schools throughout the Ramadan fasting period as counterproductive.
This was contained in a statement signed by CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that some northern states, including Kano, Kebbi, Katsina, and Bauchi, have directed that all schools remain closed during Ramadan.
However, CAN believes such decisions raise serious concerns about educational continuity, equity, and the welfare of all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs.
The association stated that the closures would disrupt education in a region already struggling with high rates of out-of-school children—averaging 44 per cent—and would undermine fairness in governance.
“The closure of schools across these northern states, ranging from nursery to tertiary levels, for an extended period will disrupt academic schedules and threaten the educational advancement of millions of students.
“These states are already grappling with alarming rates of out-of-school children, averaging 44 per cent according to recent data, far exceeding the national average.
“Such prolonged breaks risk deepening this crisis and undermining efforts to ensure access to quality education for all,” CAN said.
The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, on Sunday described the decision by some northern state governments to close all schools throughout the Ramadan fasting period as counterproductive.
This was contained in a statement signed by CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that some northern states, including Kano, Kebbi, Katsina, and Bauchi, have directed that all schools remain closed during Ramadan.
However, CAN believes such decisions raise serious concerns about educational continuity, equity, and the welfare of all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs.
The association stated that the closures would disrupt education in a region already struggling with high rates of out-of-school children—averaging 44 per cent—and would undermine fairness in governance.
“The closure of schools across these northern states, ranging from nursery to tertiary levels, for an extended period will disrupt academic schedules and threaten the educational advancement of millions of students.
“These states are already grappling with alarming rates of out-of-school children, averaging 44 per cent according to recent data, far exceeding the national average.
“Such prolonged breaks risk deepening this crisis and undermining efforts to ensure access to quality education for all,” CAN said.
While affirming its respect for religious practices, CAN expressed dismay at the lack of broad consultation with stakeholders before the decision was made.
It further cited global examples, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, UAE, where schools remain open during Ramadan with adjusted schedules.
