Nigeria Public Holidays 2026
The 2026 public holiday calendar for Nigeria contains 14 national dates. Holidays run from New Year's Day in January through to Boxing Day at the end of the year. 2 of them fall on a Saturday or Sunday this year, so the number of extra days away from the desk depends on the calendar.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1, 2026 | Thursday | Public holiday |
| Id el Fitr | March 20, 2026 | Friday | Public holiday |
| Good Friday | April 3, 2026 | Friday | Public holiday |
| Easter Monday | April 6, 2026 | Monday | Public holiday |
| Worker's Day | May 1, 2026 | Friday | Public holiday |
| Id el Kabir | May 27, 2026 | Wednesday | Public holiday |
| Children's Day | May 27, 2026 | Wednesday | Public holiday |
| Democracy Day | June 12, 2026 | Friday | Public holiday |
| Islamic New Year | June 16, 2026 | Tuesday | Public holiday |
| Birthday of Muhammad (Mawlid) | August 25, 2026 | Tuesday | Public holiday |
| Independence Day | October 1, 2026 | Thursday | Public holiday |
| National Youth Day | November 1, 2026 | SundayWeekend | Public holiday |
| Christmas Day | December 25, 2026 | Friday | Public holiday |
| Boxing Day | December 26, 2026 | SaturdayWeekend | Public holiday |
The busiest stretch is May (3 holidays), a good window to plan around if you rely on offices, banks or schools being open. Below you will find the full 2026 list for Nigeria, sorted by date, with the weekday marked for quick planning. Only nationwide public holidays are included here, which keeps the Nigeria calendar clean and comparable.
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does Nigeria have in 2026?
Nigeria has 14 national public holidays in 2026. The first is New Year's Day on January 1, 2026 and the last is Boxing Day on December 26, 2026.
What is the first public holiday of 2026 in Nigeria?
The first public holiday of 2026 is New Year's Day, which falls on January 1, 2026, a Thursday.
When is New Year celebrated in Nigeria in 2026?
In 2026, New Year's Day in Nigeria is on January 1, 2026, a Thursday.
Are regional holidays included for Nigeria?
No. This calendar lists national public holidays only. State, provincial and regional holidays that apply to just part of Nigeria are not included, which keeps the list consistent across countries.
Other years for Nigeria
Planning further ahead or looking back? Compare the Nigeria public holiday calendar across years: