The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, December 25; Thursday, December 26; and Thursday, January 1, 2026, as public holidays to mark the Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year celebrations.
The announcement was made on Monday by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, through a statement issued in Abuja by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr Magdalene Ajani.
According to the statement, the minister extended warm seasonal greetings to Christians in Nigeria and across the world, as well as to all Nigerians, as the country joins the global community in celebrating the festive season.
Tunji-Ojo urged Christians to reflect on the core virtues of love, peace, humility and sacrifice embodied by the birth of Jesus Christ, describing these values as critical to fostering national unity, tolerance and harmonious coexistence in the country.
He also called on Nigerians to use the festive period to pray for peace, improved security and the continued progress of the nation, while supporting government initiatives aimed at strengthening national development and social cohesion.
“The Christmas season and the New Year present an opportunity for Nigerians to strengthen the bonds of unity, show compassion to one another, and renew our collective commitment to nation-building,” the minister said.
The interior minister further enjoined citizens to remain law-abiding, security-conscious and moderate in their celebrations, while cooperating fully with security agencies to ensure a peaceful and incident-free festive period across the country.
He wished all Nigerians a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
