Nigeria is set for a nationwide pause this Friday, September 5, 2025, as the Federal Government officially declared a public holiday to mark Eid-ul-Mawlid, the celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The announcement was made in Abuja on Wednesday by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, through a statement signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani.
“On behalf of the Federal Government, I extend warm greetings to the Muslim Ummah, both in Nigeria and across the world, on this special occasion,”* the Minister said.
He urged Nigerians to embrace the Prophet’s values of “peace, love, humility, tolerance, and compassion” while also praying for “peace, security, and progress in our nation.”
More Than Just A Day Off
For millions of Nigerians, this is more than a statutory holiday, it’s a spiritual reset button. Eid-ul-Mawlid provides Muslims with an opportunity to reflect on the Prophet’s life and teachings. But in a country as diverse as Nigeria, it also represents something bigger: a rare moment of national unity.
While mosques will be filled with prayers, many others—Christian, traditionalist, or non-religious—will equally welcome the chance to rest, reconnect with family, or catch up on long-ignored errands.
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In Lagos, traders in Balogun Market are already whispering about higher sales in fabrics and foodstuff ahead of Friday. For parents, the holiday also means extra time with children who just resumed school after the long break.
It’s proof that even in a nation where division often dominates headlines, celebration still finds a way to cut across lines.
The Timing And Why It’s Special
This year’s Eid-ul-Mawlid falls on Friday, September 5, the 12th day of Rabi’ al-Awwal in the Islamic calendar. That means Nigerians are in for an extended weekend, something workers and students alike will not complain about.
Globally, Eid-ul-Mawlid is marked with prayers, lectures, community gatherings, and acts of charity. In Nigeria, mosques from Kano to Lagos are expected to overflow with faithful, while community leaders stress peace and moral renewal.
The Reminder
In tough times—economic hardship, insecurity, political tension—holidays like this are more than ceremonial. They remind Nigerians that faith and community remain a source of strength.
Friday will not just be about prayers in mosques; it will be about markets buzzing, families gathering, children laughing, and a brief collective exhale. In a way, that is the Prophet’s message in practice: compassion, togetherness, and peace.
