The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially declared Friday, 5 September 2025, a public holiday across the nation in observance of Eid-ul-Mawlid, commemorating the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
The announcement was conveyed in a statement issued on Tuesday, 2 September, by Dr. Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, on behalf of Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and was released in Abuja.
According to the directive, all federal government offices, schools, and banks will suspend operations for the full 24-hour period. Citizens are encouraged to leverage electronic banking channels—such as ATMs, internet banking, mobile apps, and USSD—for any urgent financial transactions.
In marking the occasion, Minister Tunji-Ojo extended his best wishes to Muslims in Nigeria and globally, urging them to emulate the prophetic virtues of peace, love, humility, tolerance, and compassion, values he described as foundational to a progressive and united Nigeria.
He also appealed to Nigerians of all faiths to pray for the country’s peace, stability, and security, encouraging citizens to remain law-abiding, security-conscious, and supportive of government policies aimed at enhancing national harmony and sustainable development.
Eid-ul-Mawlid, also spelled Eid-el-Maulud, is observed annually on the 12th day of Rabi’ al-Awwal in the Islamic lunar calendar, a date which shifts yearly on the Gregorian calendar. The observance is marked by spiritual reflections, special prayers, processions, and charitable acts in remembrance of the Prophet’s teachings and legacy.
In Kaduna State, specifically within the Zazzau Emirate, Eid-el-Maulud is traditionally celebrated with a spectacular durbar procession, where Emir Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli leads a vibrant display of cultural pageantry and horsemanship.
