![Hon. Festus Keyamo SAN arrives MMIA past 11:50 p.m. Feb 23 to lead oversight of Terminal 1 fire. Joined FAAN MD & team actively managing situation. Directed morning inspection Tuesday to guide restoration & confirm safety standards. Reaffirmed focus on passenger safety. Story: [link] #KeyamoMMIA #FireIncident #FAAN](https://fullcliphq.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/mym-150x150.jpg "MMIA Fire: Keyamo Inspects Lagos Airport After Terminal 1 Blaze Disrupts Flights")
The Sultanate Council in Sokoto has officially declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as the first day of Shawwal 1447AH, marking the beginning of Eid-el-Fitr celebrations across Nigeria.
The announcement came in a press statement issued on Wednesday by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sambo Wali Junaidu, after moon sighting committees nationwide reported no visible crescent moon on March 18 – the 29th day of Ramadan 1447AH.
As the new moon was not sighted, today is now observed as the 30th and final day of Ramadan, with Eid-el-Fitr to be celebrated tomorrow (Friday). This follows the long-established Islamic tradition of determining the end of Ramadan and the start of Shawwal through the physical sighting of the crescent moon, a practice directly rooted in the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, coordinates moon sighting efforts across the country through a network of local committees to ensure a unified announcement for the entire Muslim community.
The Sultan and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, accepted the reports from the moon sighting committees and formally declared Friday as the first day of Shawwal and the day of Eid-el-Fitr. In his message, he urged Nigerian Muslims to continue offering prayers for national peace, unity, and development, expressing hope that the spiritual rewards and lessons of Ramadan would remain active in their lives long after the fasting month ends. “Allah (SWT) accept our religious deeds,” the statement read.
With the declaration now official, the Federal Government had earlier confirmed Thursday and Friday as public holidays to mark the end of Ramadan and the Eid celebration. In preparation for the festivities, the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have deployed thousands of personnel nationwide to guarantee a peaceful and secure Sallah period.
The NSCDC alone has mobilised more than 53,500 personnel, including tactical operatives, intelligence squads, and conventional units, to cover Eid prayer grounds, mosques, churches, motor parks, markets, recreation centres, and other public spaces. Commandant-General Abubakar Audi directed all provosts of colleges, zonal commanders, and state commandants to ensure full security coverage and to respond swiftly to any emerging threats during the festive period.
Police commands in various states have also rolled out comprehensive deployments. In Gombe, personnel have been assigned to Eid prayer grounds, Hawan Durbar venues, markets, motor parks, and other public places. In Niger State, the Commissioner of Police has ordered officers to comb black spots in the metropolis, while in Kaduna, officers are stationed at Eid grounds, markets, highways, and recreational centres. Several commands have banned the use of knockouts, fireworks, and explosives during the celebrations, with violators facing arrest and prosecution.
Similar robust arrangements have been announced in Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Edo, Adamawa, Osun, Ogun, and other states, with emphasis on visibility policing, routine patrols, intelligence-led operations, and close collaboration with other security agencies, community leaders, and stakeholders. Authorities have urged parents and guardians to closely monitor their children and wards, and called on members of the public to report any suspicious movements or activities immediately.
