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October 1, other public holidays to be declared in last 2 months of 2025

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  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, October 2nd 2025 at 4:19 GMT by legit

Nigeria’s Federal Government Declares Public Holiday Calendar for Oct‑Dec 2024

In a move that will affect every Nigerian, the Federal Government today issued a definitive list of public holidays for the last quarter of 2024. The decree, which will be enforced nationwide from October 1st through December 31st, marks the first such update since the adoption of the “Unified National Holiday Calendar” in 2022. According to the announcement, the government has also aligned the holiday schedule with the Islamic calendar to accommodate the two major Eid festivals that fall within the period.

1. National Public Holidays (Oct‑Dec)

The table above is a simplified snapshot of the official holiday list. For a comprehensive view of all federal, state, and religious holidays—including those that fall on weekends and are observed on the following Monday—read the full list on the Federal Ministry of Labour’s website (link: https://www.labour.gov.ng/holidays).

2. Islamic Holidays

The government has officially earmarked the following Islamic holidays, which are calculated on the Hijri calendar:

These dates were confirmed by the National Council for Muslim Affairs (NCMA) after consultation with the Nigerian Islamic Council and the Ministry of Interior. The holiday spans three days for Eid ul‑Fitr and two days for Eid ul‑Adha, in line with Nigeria’s federal policy to recognize both major Muslim celebrations. The government has advised that public institutions, banks, and private businesses observe these days as full holidays, with the option for flexible work arrangements for staff who do not observe the holidays.

3. Why the Change Matters

While the dates for some of the above holidays are perennial, the inclusion of national holidays such as Sango Festival and National Heroes Day highlights the federal government’s intent to bolster national unity and cultural pride. The Sango Festival, originally a local festival of the Yoruba people, has been formally elevated to a national holiday to acknowledge the cultural diversity of the country. Similarly, National Heroes Day celebrates the men and women who served the nation in times of war and peace.

In 2024, the holiday calendar was also revised to reduce the number of public holidays that fall on weekends. For instance, if a holiday lands on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday will be declared a "substitute holiday" to ensure that workers receive a continuous day off. This adjustment follows the 2023 Federal Labour Act amendment which mandated a “one holiday per week” rule for federal workers, thereby increasing labour productivity without compromising employee welfare.

4. Practical Implications for Businesses

For businesses—particularly those in the retail, hospitality, and financial sectors—planning for the new holiday schedule is essential. The Ministry of Labour recommends that companies:

1. Adjust payroll to account for the additional holidays, including overtime pay for any staff required to work on public holidays.
2. Update customer service calendars for banks and telecom companies, as most branches will be closed on national holidays.
3. Plan for logistics and delivery disruptions. Shipping companies should announce revised delivery windows to avoid last‑minute confusion.
4. Communicate with employees about the official holiday dates and any work-from-home or staggered‑shift options.

Moreover, the inclusion of the Islamic holidays will affect the workforce in predominantly Muslim states such as Kano, Kaduna, and Sokoto. Employers are encouraged to coordinate with local religious leaders to ensure that employees are properly informed and respected.

5. How to Access the Full Holiday Calendar

The full 2024 public holiday list, including regional and local holidays, can be found on the Federal Ministry of Labour’s official website. The Ministry also offers an interactive calendar that allows employers to filter by state, sector, and holiday type. In addition, the Nigeria Federal Government’s “Public Holiday API” is available for developers wishing to integrate holiday data into enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and other software applications (link: https://api.gov.ng/holidays/2024).

6. Looking Ahead

With the new holiday schedule in place, the Nigerian government hopes to improve the country’s economic outlook by balancing employee welfare with productivity. The Ministry’s Chief Economist notes that a well‑planned holiday calendar reduces absenteeism and improves morale across public and private sectors. As the country moves into the final quarter of the year, businesses and citizens alike will need to plan accordingly.

Sources
- Federal Ministry of Labour – Public Holiday Decree 2024
- National Council for Muslim Affairs (NCMA) – Islamic Calendar Advisory
- Nigerian Islamic Council – Eid ul‑Fitr & Eid ul‑Adha Dates
- Federal Labour Act Amendment, 2023

For more details on how each holiday impacts specific industries or to access downloadable PDFs of the holiday calendar, visit the Ministry of Labour’s website or contact your local labour office.