**Eid-el-Fitr Celebrations Begins In Nigeria This Friday** Nigerians, get ready to celebrate as the Sultanate Council has officially declared Friday, March 20, 2026, the first day of Shawwal 1447AH, marking the beginning of Eid-el-Fitr festivities across the country. This announcement was made after careful deliberations by the Sultanate Council's Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs in collaboration with the National Moon Sighting Committee. The teams worked together to verify the sighting of the new moon of Shawwal, but unfortunately, no confirmed reports were received from moon sighting committees across the country on Wednesday, March 18, which was the 29th day of Ramadan. As a result of this, Thursday, March 19, will be observed as the final day of Ramadan. However, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, who is also the President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, has approved the report and formally declared Friday, March 20, as Eid-el-Fitr. The Sultan, in his message to Nigerian Muslims, congratulated them on this occasion, urging them to sustain the virtues of prayer, unity, and compassion that were cultivated during the holy month of Ramadan. He also called on Muslims to continue praying for peace, progress, and national development in Nigeria. It's worth noting that Muslims in some of our neighboring countries, such as Niger and Mali, have already begun celebrating Eid-el-Fitr. The Islamic Council of Niger announced the sighting of the Shawwal crescent on Wednesday, March 18, while authorities in Mali confirmed the sighting of the crescent on Thursday, March 19. As we celebrate Eid-el-Fitr this Friday, we urge Nigerians to come together in the spirit of unity and compassion, and to pray for the peace and prosperity of our nation.