Nigeria’s Ministry of Interior is set to declare a nationwide public holiday to mark Good Friday and Easter 2026, a move that will give workers an extended break when combined with the weekend.
The official announcement is expected in early April, with the two holidays standing as the only national public holidays for the month.
As part of the schedule, activities in ministries, government agencies, parastatals, and other public institutions are expected to pause on Friday, April 3, 2026. Normal operations will then resume on Tuesday, April 7, after the Easter celebration.
Both Friday, April 3, and Monday, April 6, have been designated as public holidays across the country, marking Good Friday and Easter Monday respectively.
In Nigeria, the Easter period is typically observed with church services, family visits, and various social gatherings, making it one of the most widely celebrated Christian holidays in the country.
Recall that in March, the Federal Government of Nigeria designated Thursday and Friday, March 19 and 20, as public holidays to mark the end of Ramadan, celebrated globally as Eid al-Fitr.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who spoke on behalf of the government in a statement released on Tuesday, March 19.
The press release was officially signed by Magdalene Ajani, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry.
In his message, the minister congratulated Muslims across the country on successfully completing the holy month of Ramadan.
He also encouraged them to continue upholding the values practiced during the fasting period, including kindness, unity, patience, peace, and selflessness.
The declaration allowed Muslims nationwide to celebrate the festive period, which marked the conclusion of a month dedicated to fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection.
