| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-01 | New Year's Day | National |
| 2025-03-30 | Eid al-Fitr | National |
| 2025-03-31 | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | National |
| 2025-04-01 | Eid al-Fitr (observed) | Substitute |
| 2025-04-18 | Good Friday | National |
| 2025-04-21 | Easter Monday | National |
| 2025-05-01 | Workers' Day | National |
| 2025-06-06 | Eid al-Adha | National |
| 2025-06-07 | Eid al-Adha Holiday | National |
| 2025-06-09 | Eid al-Adha Holiday (observed) | Substitute |
| 2025-06-12 | Democracy Day | National |
| 2025-07-15 | Day of Mourning for President Muhammadu Buhari | National |
| 2025-09-05 | Prophet's Birthday | National |
| 2025-10-01 | National Day | National |
| 2025-12-25 | Christmas Day | National |
| 2025-12-26 | Boxing Day | National |
How many public holidays does Nigeria have in 2025?
Nigeria has 16 public holidays in 2025: 14 national holidays, 2 substitute days. The dates run from 1 January 2025 to 26 December 2025, and no public holiday falls in February, August, November. Observances and regional holidays are listed separately and are not counted.
Wondering how that stacks up globally? See how Nigeria's public holiday count compares.
Long weekends in Nigeria 2025
Nigeria's public holidays create 5 long weekends in 2025 - runs of three or more consecutive days off, each built around a holiday that touches a weekend.
- Sat 29 March - Tue 1 April: Eid al-Fitr (4-day weekend, Saturday 29 March to Tuesday 1 April).
- Fri 18 - Mon 21 April: Good Friday (4-day weekend, Friday 18 April to Monday 21 April).
- Fri 6 - Mon 9 June: Eid al-Adha (4-day weekend, Friday 6 June to Monday 9 June).
- Fri 5 - Sun 7 September: Prophet's Birthday (3-day weekend, Friday 5 September to Sunday 7 September).
- Thu 25 - Sun 28 December: Christmas Day (4-day weekend, Thursday 25 December to Sunday 28 December).
Observed and substitute holidays in Nigeria 2025
A substitute holiday is a day off moved to a nearby working weekday when a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday. The legal date never changes - only the day most people actually get off.
- 1 April 2025 (Tuesday) - given as the day off for Eid al-Fitr (observed), which falls on a weekend.
- 9 June 2025 (Monday) - given as the day off for Eid al-Adha Holiday (observed), which falls on a weekend.
Regional variations are common; see public holidays across Africa for the wider picture.
Public holidays in Nigeria: is your date a holiday in 2025?
Every date in the table above is a public holiday in Nigeria in 2025. If the date you are checking appears there, it is a day off; if it does not, it is not a public holiday - however widely it may be marked.
For example, 1 January 2025 is New Year's Day, a public holiday in Nigeria.
More to explore: browse public holidays by country.
About these holidays in Nigeria (2025)
Our Nigeria public holidays guide explains the background of each holiday and how the dates are set.
New Year's Day
New Year's Day falls on 1 January and opens the Gregorian calendar year. Most countries mark it with a public holiday, and celebrations usually begin the night before with countdowns, fireworks and gatherings. The date was fixed in its current position by Julius Caesar's calendar reform, and later preserved by the Gregorian reform of 1582. traditions vary widely, from first-footing in Scotland to writing resolutions for the months ahead.
Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr is the festival breaking the fast of Ramadan, observed on the first day of Shawwal. It is one of the two major Islamic festivals and a public holiday throughout the Muslim world. The celebration opens with a special congregational prayer, followed by visits to family and neighbours, shared meals and giving to charity. Where the date has been confirmed by moon sighting, it appears without the estimated qualifier on published calendars.
Good Friday
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter and commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. It is a public holiday in most countries with Christian traditions, and businesses, banks and schools often close. Observance is typically solemn, with church services, processions and in some places Passion plays. The date moves each year because Easter is calculated from the first full moon following the March equinox.
Easter Monday
Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday and forms the final day of the Easter octave in Western Christianity. It is a public holiday in many European, Commonwealth and Latin American countries, effectively extending the Easter weekend. Because it is tied to the movable date of Easter, it falls between late March and late April. Traditional customs include egg rolling, picnics and family outings.
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, begins on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah and coincides with the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. It honours the devotion of Ibrahim, who was willing to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. Families that can afford it sacrifice a sheep, goat, cow or camel and divide the meat into portions for family, friends and the poor.