The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has called on the Muslim Ummah across Nigeria to look out for the new moon of Shawwal 1447AH starting Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The sighting of the crescent moon marks the end of the mandatory 29 or 30 days of Ramadan fasting and heralds the commencement of the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations. In a statement released on Tuesday by the Sultanate Council and signed by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sambo Wali Junaidu, the Sultan noted that Wednesday coincides with the 29th day of Ramadan. The Sultanate Council urged any Muslim who sights the crescent to report the development through the appropriate traditional channels for verification. “Muslims who sight the new moon should report the sighting to the nearest District or Village Head, who will in turn communicate the information to His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, for further announcement,” the statement read. To ensure a seamless communication process, the Council provided dedicated telephone numbers for the public to report credible sightings directly:0803 715 7100,0806 630 3077,0803 596 5322,0803 594 590 As the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), the Sultan remains the sole authority to officially announce the date for Eid-el-Fitr in Nigeria following verified reports from across the federation. The announcement will determine the official public holidays and the performance of the Eid prayers nationwide. Post navigation FG Begins Evacuation of Nigerians Stranded in Iran, Israel, Others Eid-el-Fitr: FG Approves Thursday and Friday as Public Holidays
