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The Federal Government has officially announced public holidays to mark the 2025 Christmas celebrations and the beginning of the New Year, giving Nigerians time to observe the festive season with family, reflection, and goodwill.
According to the announcement, Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, have been declared public holidays to celebrate Christmas Day and Boxing Day respectively. In addition, Thursday, January 1, 2026, will be observed nationwide as a public holiday to usher in the New Year.
The declaration was made public on Monday through a statement issued by Dr. Magdalene Ajani, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior. She conveyed the message on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who approved the holiday schedule in line with the government’s annual observance of major religious and national celebrations.
In the statement, the Minister urged Nigerians to use the Christmas period to reflect deeply on the values symbolised by the birth of Jesus Christ. He highlighted virtues such as love, peace, humility, and sacrifice, encouraging citizens to allow these principles guide their interactions with one another during and beyond the festive season.
Tunji-Ojo further called on Nigerians across all faiths, ethnic groups, and regions to see the holidays as an opportunity to strengthen unity and national cohesion. He emphasised the importance of collective prayers for the country, particularly in areas of peace, improved security, and overall national development.
While acknowledging the celebratory nature of the season, the Minister also advised citizens to remain law-abiding and security-conscious throughout the holidays. He encouraged Nigerians to celebrate responsibly, cooperate with security agencies, and avoid actions that could threaten public safety during the busy festive period.
The statement reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that Nigerians can observe the holidays in a peaceful and secure environment, noting that security agencies across the country have been placed on alert to maintain order during the celebrations.
Concluding the announcement, the Minister extended goodwill messages to Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, wishing them a joyful end-of-year celebration and a hopeful start to the coming year. He wished citizens a “Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.”
Public holidays for Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year are traditionally observed across Nigeria, allowing families to gather, religious institutions to hold special services, and communities to engage in cultural and social activities that mark the season.
With the declaration now official, government offices, schools, and many businesses are expected to close on the designated dates, resuming normal activities after the holidays. For many Nigerians, the announcement signals the start of travel plans, festive preparations, and end-of-year reflections as the nation prepares to welcome 2026.
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