The Ghanaian Minaret

Abuja: Some 11 out of the 36 federal states of Nigeria have declared public holidays to mark the beginning of the Islamic new year, which started on Thursday, June 26, 2025 corresponding to Muharram 1, 1447 AH of the Hijri calendar

The lunar calendar which has 12 months was marked from the year of the journey of the Holy Prophet Mohammed from Makkah to Madina.

The declaration of public holiday was in line with efforts to foster unity, strengthen mutual respect, and reinforce a sense of belonging among citizens of different religious backgrounds.

The 11 states confirmed to have declared public holidays either on Thursday or Friday include Osun, Oyo, Kwara, Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Borno, Sokoto and Zamfara.

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun declared Friday a public holiday in commemoration of the new Islamic calendar via a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Regional Integration and Special Duties, Mr Mudasiru Oyedeji, on Thursday in Osogbo.

According to the statement, the governor will take a customary salute on Saturday at a special march past at Fakunle Comprehensive High School in Osogbo, in celebration of the new year.

In a circular issued on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, by the secretary to the state government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State announced Friday, June 27, as a work-free day for workers in the state in celebration of the beginning of the new Islamic calendar.

Governor of Kwara, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, extended his congratulations to the people of his state, especially the Muslims, on the new Hijrah year, 1447 AH, and approved Thursday, June 26, the first day of Muharram 1447, as a statewide holiday.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano, the third Nigerian governor to declare a public holiday, declared Thursday, June 26, as a work-free day for workers in the northwest state.

This was carried in a statement made by Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, Kano’s commissioner for information and internal affairs.

The Jigawa State government, through the State Head of the Civil Service, Muhammad Dagaceri, declared Friday, June 27, 2025, a work-free day to mark the new year.

According to Dagaceri, the holiday allows the working class and the wider community to participate in celebrations marking the Islamic New Year.

The Katsina and Kebbi state governments have declared Friday, June 27, 2025, as a work-free day to commemorate the new Islamic Year 1447 AH.

The Kebbi state government announced the public holiday via a statement by the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Establishment, Pension and Training, Malami Maiyama.

The Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Saidu Musa Abdullahi, on Thursday called on the Federal Government to recognise and declare the first day of Muharram, which marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar, as a public holiday.

Mr Abdullahi, in a statement signed by his Senior Legislative Aide, Dodo Mustapha Alhaji, congratulated Muslims across Nigeria and beyond on the commencement of the Islamic New Year, 1447 AH.

He commended the governors of Niger, Borno, Kano, Katsina, Osun, Oyo, and Sokoto for consistently declaring the 1st of Muharram a public holiday in their states in recognition of its spiritual significance.