Ramadan 2026 begins in Nigeria after crescent sightings, the Sultan of Sokoto announces. Find confirmed start date, what fasting entails and key guidance from the NSCIA.
Ramadan 2026 has officially begun in Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, announced on Tuesday night. The announcement followed confirmed sightings of the new crescent moon in several parts of the country, the National Moonsighting Committee said.
The Sultan, who also serves as president of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), extended his felicitations to the Muslim community on the commencement of 1447AH Ramadan. He prayed that Allah would spare the lives of Muslims so they may observe the fast and gain its spiritual benefits.
Officials noted that the Ramadan crescent was also sighted earlier in Saudi Arabia and other countries. With the crescent confirmed, Muslims across Nigeria will observe the month of fasting, prayer and charity from Wednesday 18 February 2026.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and a central period of worship for Muslims worldwide. Observant Muslims fast from just before the dawn prayer (Fajr) until the sunset prayer (Maghrib), abstaining from food, drink, smoking and sexual relations during daylight hours to cultivate taqwa (consciousness of Allah).
The Qur’an instructs believers on the purpose of fasting: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn piety and righteousness” (Qur’an 2:183). Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, alongside the declaration of faith, the five daily prayers, zakah (charity) and, for those able, the Hajj pilgrimage.
Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days depending on the sighting of the next crescent. Communities and mosques will publish local timetables for suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and iftar (breaking of the fast), and worshippers are advised to follow guidance from their local Islamic authorities.
