Sultan declares Wednesday, first day of Ramadan 1447AH
By SUMAYYAH ADEFAKA
The Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar III, has officially declared Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as the first day of Ramadan 1447 After Hijrah, following the confirmed sighting of the new moon across Nigeria.
The announcement was contained in a press release issued on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, by the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs in conjunction with the National Moonsighting Committee.
According to the statement, reports were received from various Moonsighting Committees across the country confirming the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan on Tuesday, which corresponds to the 29th day of Sha’aban 1447AH.
His Eminence accepted the verified reports and accordingly declared Wednesday as the commencement of the holy month of Ramadan for Muslims in Nigeria.
The Sultan, who is also the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, felicitated with the Nigerian Muslim Ummah on the successful sighting of the crescent.
He urged Muslims to use the sacred month as a period of renewed devotion, spiritual reflection, charity and discipline, while calling on the faithful to continue praying for peace, unity, progress and development in Nigeria.
The statement was signed by Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu, Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs of the Sultanate Council, Sokoto.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a period of fasting from dawn to sunset, increased worship and acts of compassion.
