Sultan of Sokoto Declares Start of Ramadan 1447AH in Nigeria
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has officially declared Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as the first day of Ramadan fasting for Muslims in Nigeria. The announcement follows the confirmed sighting of the Ramadan crescent moon.
According to a statement released on Tuesday by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs for the Sultanate Council, the Sultanate Council’s Advisory Committee, in conjunction with the National Moonsighting Committee, received verified reports from various local moonsighting committees across the country. These reports confirmed the sighting of the new moon for Ramadan 1447AH on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, corresponding to the 29th day of Sha’aban 1447AH.
Upon accepting these reports, the Sultan, who also serves as the President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), made the formal declaration. His Eminence extended felicitations to the entire Nigerian Muslim Ummah, offering prayers for Allah’s guidance and blessings upon them. He urged Muslims to continue praying for the peace, progress, and development of the nation. The Sultan also wished all Muslims a blessed and rewarding Ramadan.
This declaration marks the beginning of the annual month-long dawn-to-dusk fasting, one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The practice is observed globally by Muslims, with the exact start date sometimes varying by a day between countries depending on local moon sighting observations. The Sultan of Sokoto’s announcement is traditionally followed by the majority of Muslims in Nigeria and influences timing in several other West African nations.
The rigorous process of collating sighting reports from numerous committees underscores the importance placed on authenticating the lunar sighting within the Nigerian Muslim community. This method aims to unite the faithful on a common start date for the sacred month.
As Ramadan commences, Muslims will focus on increased devotion, prayer, charity, and abstinence from food, drink, and other physical needs during daylight hours. The month holds deep spiritual significance, commemorating the first revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The Sultan’s message calls for a period of spiritual reflection coupled with collective prayers for the country’s wellbeing, highlighting the faith’s role in both personal piety and national cohesion.
