Full List: Remaining Public Holidays In Nigeria For 2026

With 2026 gradually approaching its final quarter, Nigerians still have a number of nationwide public holidays to look forward to before the year officially ends.

As of September 3, 2026, several major public holidays, including New Year’s Day, Eid-el-Fitr, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Workers’ Day, Eid-el-Kabir, Democracy Day and Eid-el-Maulud, have already been observed.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the remaining regular nationwide holidays on the 2026 calendar are Independence Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The Federal Ministry of Interior is responsible for announcing the official observance of public holidays, and its 2026 releases so far include declarations for several of the holidays already observed this year.

Nigeria’s Independence Day will be observed on Thursday, October 1, 2026. The date commemorates the country’s independence from British colonial rule in 1960, with Nigeria set to mark its 66th Independence anniversary this year.

The occasion is traditionally marked with a presidential address, official ceremonies and other activities celebrating the nation’s history and progress. Workers on a conventional Monday-to-Friday schedule would ordinarily resume work on Friday, October 2, unless an additional holiday is subsequently declared.

After the Independence Day celebration, the next regular nationwide holiday will be Christmas Day on Friday, December 25, 2026. The day is recognised as a public holiday in Nigeria and is observed nationwide to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Because Christmas Day falls on a Friday, workers who normally have weekends off could enjoy a three-day break extending through Sunday, December 27.

The final regular public holiday currently expected in 2026 is Boxing Day, which falls on Saturday, December 26. The day follows Christmas and is recognised as a public holiday in Nigeria.

However, Nigerians should not automatically assume that Monday, December 28 will be declared a public holiday simply because Boxing Day falls on a Saturday. Any additional nationwide holiday would depend on a specific declaration by the Federal Government.

The Ministry of Interior has historically issued formal announcements ahead of major public holidays. For example, the ministry formally declared Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day as public holidays for the 2025/2026 festive period.

Consequently, Nigerians can currently mark October 1, December 25 and December 26 on their calendars as the remaining regular nationwide public holidays for 2026, while awaiting any further official announcement from the Federal Government regarding additional or adjusted holiday dates.