The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has officially declared Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as the first day of Ramadan following confirmation of the crescent moon sighting across Nigeria.
The announcement, made on Tuesday evening after the maghrib (sunset) prayer, brings certainty to millions of Nigerian Muslims who have been anticipating the commencement of the holy month of fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection.
In a statement released through the National Moon Sighting Committee, the Sultan confirmed that credible witnesses from various parts of the country had reported sighting the new moon, fulfilling the Islamic requirement for declaring the beginning of Ramadan. The committee, which includes Islamic scholars and astronomers, verified the reports before the official declaration.
“By the grace of Almighty Allah, the crescent of Ramadan 1447 AH has been sighted. Consequently, tomorrow, Wednesday, February 18, 2026, is the first day of Ramadan,” the Sultan’s statement read.
The declaration means that Nigerian Muslims will begin the obligatory dawn-to-dusk fasting on Wednesday, abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs during daylight hours as prescribed in Islamic teachings. The holy month is expected to last 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the next crescent moon.
Muslim leaders across Nigeria have urged the faithful to use the blessed month for increased worship, charitable acts, self-discipline, and seeking closeness to Allah. They emphasized that Ramadan is not merely about abstaining from food and drink but also about spiritual purification, moral improvement, and empathy for those less fortunate.
Security agencies have assured Muslims of adequate protection at worship centers and public spaces throughout the holy month, following consultations with Islamic organizations and community leaders. Authorities urged residents to remain vigilant while going about their religious activities.
State governments across Nigeria, particularly in the predominantly Muslim northern regions, have announced various measures to support citizens during Ramadan, including food palliatives for the less privileged, extended market hours to accommodate late-night shopping, and traffic management plans for areas with high concentrations of mosques.
The Sultan also called on Muslims to pray for peace, security, and prosperity in Nigeria during the holy month, emphasizing the importance of supplication during Ramadan, when prayers are believed to be especially accepted by Allah.
Religious leaders have reminded the faithful to maintain cordial relations with neighbors regardless of faith, practice tolerance, and demonstrate the true values of Islam through good conduct during and beyond Ramadan.
As the holy month begins, millions of Nigerian Muslims join over a billion Muslims worldwide in this spiritual journey, seeking forgiveness, spiritual renewal, and divine blessings during one of Islam’s most sacred periods.
The Sultan wished all Muslims a blessed and spiritually rewarding Ramadan, encouraging them to maximize the opportunities for worship and self-improvement that the holy month provides.
