Public Holidays in Nigeria
Statutory public holidays in Nigeria, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Nigeria at a glance
Nigeria’s public holidays mark Democracy Day on 12 June and Independence Day on 1 October, alongside Christian and Islamic dates.
Because the country is religiously divided, Easter and both Eids are all national holidays, moving each year with their calendars.
Nigeria public holidays 2026
Nigeria has 14 public holidays in 2026 – the statutory days off. The table below lists those public holidays; observances and other non-statutory dates are not part of the total.
| Holiday | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1Thu | National |
| Eid al-Fitr | Mar 19Thu | National |
| Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Mar 20Fri | National |
| Good Friday | Apr 3Fri | National |
| Easter Monday | Apr 6Mon | National |
| Workers' Day | May 1Fri | National |
| Eid al-Adha (estimated) | May 28Thu | National |
| Eid al-Adha Holiday (estimated) | May 29Fri | National |
| Democracy Day | Jun 12Fri | National |
| Prophet's Birthday (estimated) | Aug 26Wed | National |
| National Day | Oct 1Thu | National |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25Fri | National |
Showing 12 of 14 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Nigeria
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Nigeria.
Abuja
A purpose-built capital of wide avenues, a rock monolith and government districts.
Lagos
A vast coastal megacity of markets, music, tech and island districts.
Kano
An ancient walled city of the Sahara trade, with a great market and dye pits.
Ibadan
One of the largest cities in Africa, a Yoruba city of markets and universities.
Port Harcourt
The oil capital in the Niger Delta, with a refinery and a busy port.
Calabar
A river city of colonial heritage and a famous Christmas carnival.
Top attractions in Nigeria
The places that draw most visitors to Nigeria.
Zuma Rock
A huge inselberg rising from the plain just outside the capital.
Olumo Rock
A granite outcrop above Abeokuta, with a historic Egba fortress.
Yankari National Park
A savanna park of elephants, lions and the Wikki warm spring.
Sukur Cultural Landscape
A terraced hill settlement with a palace, granaries and iron-working heritage.
Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove
A sacred riverine forest of shrines and sculptures along the Osun.
Lekki Conservation Centre
A forest and wetland reserve with the longest canopy walk in Africa.
Festivals, food and getting around Nigeria
What the calendar looks like on the ground, and how to move through the country around it.
Festivals behind the holidays
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🎉
New Year's Day
Falls on Jan 1
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🎉
Valentine's Day
Falls on Feb 14
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🎉
Ash Wednesday
Falls on Feb 18
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🎉
Ramadan Start
Falls on Feb 18
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🎉
Women's Day
Falls on Mar 8
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🎉
Mothering Sunday
Falls on Mar 15
Food & drink
Getting around
Domestic flights and long-distance coaches link the regions; road travel requires planning and current local advice.
Travelling around Nigeria’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Nigeria tighten around major holidays; reserve early for the busiest weeks.
Check opening hours
Museums, banks and government offices usually close on statutory holidays, and often on the nearest Monday.
Carry local currency
Small vendors and rural businesses frequently take cash only, especially on holidays when banks are shut.
Expect crowded transport
Long weekends produce the year's heaviest road, rail and air traffic. Build in extra travel time.
Confirm the official list
Nigeria's holiday dates are confirmed by government announcement; check the year page for the final arrangement.
Plan the long weekends
Pairing a holiday with adjacent weekends gives the longest breaks of the year — and the busiest.
Nigeria public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Nigeria have?
Nigeria has 14 public holidays in 2026, counting every date typed National, Substitute or Bank in our calendar. Observances, religious dates and regional holidays are listed separately and left out of the total, because they are not days off across the whole country.
Where can I find the full 2026 list?
The complete 2026 calendar for Nigeria is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Nigeria's public holidays paid?
Statutory national holidays are generally paid leave for employees. Observances and commemorative days are usually not.
Do holidays move if they fall on a weekend?
Where a holiday falls on a weekend, Nigeria typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Nigeria?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Nigeria?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Nigeria
School term dates in Nigeria
School calendar data last updated 10 Sep 2026. Dates come from education ministries and local education authorities; always re-check with the school before booking travel.