The President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has announced the sighting of the crescent marking the commencement of Ramadan 1447AH.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Sambo Junaidu, Chairman of the Sultanate Council’s Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, it was confirmed that verified moon sighting reports were received from different parts of the country and subsequently authenticated.
According to the statement, the Sultan, who is also the spiritual leader of Muslims in Nigeria, has declared Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as the first day of Ramadan.
“The Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, in conjunction with the National Moonsighting Committee, received reports from various moonsighting committees across the country confirming the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan 1447AH on Tuesday,” the statement read. “The Sultan has accepted the reports and accordingly declared Wednesday, Feb. 18, as the first day of Ramadan 1447AH.”
The Sultan urged Muslims nationwide to devote themselves to worship, reflection and acts of charity throughout the holy month. He encouraged Nigerians to use the period to pray for peace, unity and national development, stressing the importance of supplications for the country’s leaders.
He also emphasised peaceful coexistence among citizens and called on affluent individuals to support the less privileged to enable them observe the fast with ease.
Ramadan, which lasts 29 or 30 days depending on the lunar calendar, is one of the five pillars of Islam and is obligatory for all adult Muslims, except those exempted for health or other valid reasons.
