THE SULTAN of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has declared Sunday, 30 March 2025, as the first day of Shawwal 1446AH, marking the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr in Nigeria. The declaration follows confirmed reports from moon sighting committees across the country, signaling the end of the Ramadan fast.
The announcement, made from the Sultan’s palace in Sokoto, aligns with Islamic tradition, where the sighting of the crescent moon determines the conclusion of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal. The Sultan, who is also the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), affirmed that multiple credible reports from various regions had verified the moon sighting.
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Eid-el-Fitr, which signifies the completion of the month-long fasting period, is one of the most significant religious events for Muslims worldwide. The sighting of the moon has remained a pivotal aspect of Islamic lunar calendar observance, with different countries often announcing varying dates for Eid based on local astronomical observations.
The Explainer gathered that this is the second time in six years that the crescent moon has been sighted on the 29th of Ramadan in Nigeria. In contrast, between 2020 and 2022, and again in 2024, Nigerian Muslims observed a full 30-day fast due to the absence of a confirmed moon sighting on the 29th day of Ramadan.
Globally, other Islamic nations have also confirmed Eid-el-Fitr for Sunday, 30 March 2025. Saudi Arabia, which hosts Islam’s holiest sites, announced through its Supreme Court that the Eid festival would begin on Sunday.
Similarly, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar made the same declaration. However, Oman and Shiite-majority Iran announced that they would mark Eid on Monday, following their own moon sighting calculations.
Following the declaration, the Sultan congratulated the Nigerian Muslim community on the successful completion of Ramadan. He urged them to uphold the values of patience, piety, and charity, which the holy month promotes.
“With the sighting of the moon, Sunday, 30 March 2025, will be the 1st of Shawwal 1446 AH, marking the day for the Eid-el-Fitr celebration,” he stated.
He further encouraged Muslims to continue praying for peace, unity, and the progress of Nigeria.
“The country needs our prayers now more than ever. Let us remain steadfast in our devotion and contribute to national development,” he added.
The Sultan also called on Nigerians to support their leaders with prayers and good counsel, emphasizing that leadership at all levels requires divine guidance to navigate the country’s challenges.
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The Eid-el-Fitr celebrations this year come at a time when many Nigerian families are facing economic difficulties due to rising inflation. Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicates that Nigeria’s inflation rate stood at 23.18% in February 2025, down from 24.48% in January 2025, reflecting a slight decline in price pressures.
However, food prices remain a significant concern for many households. The NBS report highlights that year-on-year inflation decreased by 8.52 percentage points compared to 31.70% in February 2024, but the month-on-month inflation rate for February 2025 still stood at 2.04%.
This economic strain could affect how many families celebrate Eid this year, as rising food prices continue to put pressure on household budgets.
The global Muslim community is observing Eid al-Fitr amidst ongoing conflicts, notably the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Recent reports indicate that thousands have been affected by the prolonged violence in the region. For detailed information, you can refer to the UNRWA Situation Report #165 on the Humanitarian Crisis in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem: .
Despite these challenges, Eid remains a time of spiritual reflection, gratitude, and communal solidarity.
Many Nigerian Muslims are expected to gather in prayer grounds across the country for the traditional Eid congregational prayers, while families and friends come together for festivities.
