FG declares public holidays for Christmas and New Year
The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared public holidays for the Christmas and New Year celebrations, confirming time off for workers, students, and residents across the country to observe the festive season. The Ministry of Interior issued the holiday schedule to provide official dates for the national celebrations, a move that ensures government offices, schools, and many businesses will align with the break.
According to the announcement, the Christmas Day public holiday has been set for Thursday, December 25, 2025, while the Boxing Day holiday will be observed on Friday, December 26, 2025. The government also declared a holiday for New Year’s Day on Thursday, January 1, 2026, allowing Nigerians to officially celebrate the transition into the new year with family, friends and communities. The declaration serves to provide clarity on when official offices and institutions are expected to close in observance of the religious and secular festivities.
The Minister of Interior emphasised that the declaration of these holidays is in recognition of the cultural and national significance of the festivities, noting that Christmas is a time for Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, while New Year’s Day marks the commencement of another calendar cycle and offers an opportunity for reflection, gratitude and planning for the year ahead. Employers and organisations were urged to make appropriate arrangements to ensure workplace coverage where necessary and to treat the declared dates as holidays in line with the Public Holidays Act.
The announcement was welcomed by many Nigerians, especially workers who look forward to spending meaningful time with loved ones and participating in community and religious activities. Travel agencies and hospitality businesses have also been preparing for increased movement and social events as the season approaches, while security agencies continue to reassure the public of safety measures during the festive period.
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