The Sultanate Council, Sokoto, has declared Friday March 20, 2026 as the first day of Shawwal 1447AH, marking the end of the 2026 Ramadan and the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr across Nigeria.
This was announced in a statement Wednesday by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto, Sambo Wali Junaidu.
The council said that this was due to the non-sighting of the Shawwal 1447AH new moon on Wednesday, the 29th day of Ramadan.
When the crescent is not sighted on the 29th day of Ramadan, the month is completed as 30 days, after which Eid-el-Fitr is observed the following day.
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, coordinates moon sighting efforts across Nigeria through a network of committees to ensure a unified announcement for Muslims in the country.
“No report was received from various Moon Sighting Committees across the country confirming the sighting of the new moon of Shawwal 1447AH on Wednesday, March 18, which corresponded with the 29th day of Ramadan.
“Therefore, Thursday, 19th March 2026, is the 30th day of the month of Ramadan 1447AH.
“The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, accepted the report and accordingly declared Friday, 20th March 2026, as the first day of Shawwal 1447AH (Day of Eid-el-Fitr),” the statement said.
In his message to the Muslim faithful, the Sultan extended warm felicitations to the Nigerian Ummah, urging them to sustain the virtues of prayer, unity, and compassion cultivated during Ramadan, for national peace and development.
The Sultan expressed hope that the spiritual benefits of Ramadan would be sustained beyond the fasting period, praying that “Allah accept our religious deeds.”
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