KEY POINTS
- FG declared public holidays for Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year.
- Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo declared the public holidays
- The public holidays come with calls for unity, moderation and security cooperation.
Nigeria’s federal government has declared Thursday, Dec. 25, and Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas Day and Boxing Day, extending the festive break into the final week of the year.
It also named Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, as a public holiday for New Year celebrations, giving workers across Africa’s most populous nation a formal pause as the year turns.
The announcement was made by Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, according to a statement issued Monday by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Magdalene Ajayi. The declaration follows Nigeria’s long-standing practice of recognizing major religious and national celebrations with public holidays.
Public holidays reflect unity message
Tunji-Ojo said the Christmas season offers a moment for Nigerians to reflect on values associated with the birth of Jesus Christ, including love, peace, humility and sacrifice. He described those virtues as essential to strengthening unity and tolerance in a country marked by ethnic, religious and regional diversity.
The minister sent wishes to Christians in Nigeria and around the world, as well as to people of other faiths. He told Nigerians to use the holidays to pray for peace, safety, and the country’s progress. He said the holidays should serve as a time for everyone to reflect on these issues, not merely as a religious observance.
Public holidays come with safety appeal
Alongside the holiday declaration, the minister appealed for moderation and vigilance during celebrations, calling on citizens to remain law-abiding and cooperate with security agencies. The message comes as Nigeria typically experiences increased travel, social gatherings and economic activity during the Christmas and New Year period.
Tunji-Ojo said the festive season should also serve as a time to renew commitment to nation-building, compassion and mutual support. He encouraged Nigerians to strengthen social bonds and contribute positively to their communities, even as economic pressures and security concerns continue to weigh on parts of the country.
Public holidays around Christmas and New Year are widely observed across Nigeria’s public and private sectors, affecting government offices, banks and many businesses. For traders, transport operators and the hospitality industry, the period is also one of the busiest times of the year.
The interior ministry said the federal government expects a peaceful holiday season and expressed confidence that cooperation between citizens and security agencies will help ensure safety nationwide.
Tunji-Ojo wished Nigerians a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year, closing the statement on a note of optimism as the country heads into 2026.
