By Ghazali Ibrahim 
The Sultan of Sokoto has announced that Eid Al-Fitr celebrations in Nigeria will take place on Monday, March 31, 2025, instead of Sunday, March 30.
This decision follows the unsuccessful sighting of the crescent moon for Shawwal 1446 in Nigeria.
In a press Statement released by the council signed by her secretary, Prof Ishaq Oloyede on Saturday, Sultan of Sokoto revealed that the crescent of Shawwal has not been sighted in Nigeria and as such, Monday will be declared as Eid celebration.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has declared Monday, March 31, and Tuesday, April 1, 2025, as public holidays to mark the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
Part of the statement reads, “Moreover, consequent upon the advice of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC), the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Shawwal 1446 A.H. immediately after sunset on Saturday, 29th Ramadan 1446 A.H. which is equivalent to 29th March 2025.
“It must be noted that, according to scientific calculations, the expected time for the conjunction of Shawwal moon in Nigeria is Saturday, 29th March 2025 at 11:58 a.m.
“That notwithstanding, as Islamic tradition stipulates, Muslims are enjoined to search for the crescent of Shawwal on the 29th of Ramadan.
“If Muslims sight the crescent in accordance with the moon sighting and verification standards, then His Eminence would declare Sunday, 30th March 2025 as the 1st of Shawwal and the day of ‘Idul Fitr. However, if the crescent is not sighted that day,
then Monday, 31st March 2025, automatically becomes the day of ‘Idul Fitr.
“In addition to the established traditional and Islamic leaders in each locality, the following members (in the attachment) of the National Moon-Sighting Committee (NMSC) can be contacted to report any credible and positive sighting of the crescent of Shawwal 1446 AH.”
This holiday is a significant event in the Islamic calendar, marking the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
