Many of us have traveled on a long-distance journey to catch up with an important appointment, only to discover that the day in question was a public holiday.
Many Nigerians have missed opportunities because they were not fully aware of when public holidays fall.
This article lists all the public holidays in Nigeria in 2026, so you can better organize your schedules for the year.
What is a Public Holiday?
A public holiday, national holiday, or legal holiday is a holiday generally established by law and is usually a non-working day during the year.
Also See: Bank Holidays in Nigeria 2026
Nigeria observes public holidays based on events of significance to our history, such as October 1st, 1960, when Nigeria became an independent state.
Public Holidays in Nigeria in 2026
Below is the list of public holidays in Nigeria from January 1 to December 31, 2026:
| Date | Day | Name | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thursday | New Year’s Day | Public Holiday |
| 20 March | Friday | Eid al-Fitr* | Public Holiday |
| 21 March | Saturday | Eid al-Fitr (2nd day)* | Public Holiday |
| 3 April | Friday | Good Friday | Public Holiday |
| 6 April | Monday | Easter Monday | Public Holiday |
| 1 May | Friday | Workers’ Day | Public Holiday |
| 27 May | Wednesday | Eid al-Adha* | Public Holiday |
| 28 May | Thursday | Eid al-Adha (2nd day)* | Public Holiday |
| 12 June | Friday | Democracy Day | Public Holiday |
| 25 August | Tuesday | Id el-Maulud* | Public Holiday |
| 1 October | Thursday | National Independence Day | Public Holiday |
| 25 December | Friday | Christmas Day | Public Holiday |
| 26 December | Saturday | Boxing Day | Public Holiday |
*Islamic holiday dates are based on the lunar calendar and may vary by 1-2 days depending on moon sighting.
Key Dates for 2026
- Long weekends: Good Friday (April 3) and Easter Monday (April 6) create a 4-day weekend.
- Democracy Day: Falls on Friday, June 12, creating a long weekend.
- Christmas: Falls on Friday, creating a long weekend with Boxing Day on Saturday.
Note:
No substitute holiday is provided if a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday in Nigeria. The original weekend date stands.
We update these holiday dates regularly. Please inform us if you notice any errors.
Also Check: Prefix For All Nigerian Phone Numbers
Feel free to drop any questions or contributions in the comment section below.