Public holidays in Nigeria 2024

This year, there are many public holidays offering the Nigerian workforce a moment of release. Whether you spend your holidays doing extra time at work (in which case I’m giving you the bombastic side eye) or you spend it unwinding, there are plenty of reasons to rejoice in 2024.

See below all the public holidays for 2024:

New Year Holiday: Monday, January 1

The first day of the new year is always a public holiday, and many people take the time to think about the previous year, and what their plans for the new year will be. It’s also a good day to spend time with the family doing something fun or just staying at home.

Good Friday: Friday, March 29

Good Friday is the second public holiday of the year. It is a Christian holiday to remind the followers of Christ of Jesus's death in Calvary. It is also a good day for sombre reflection.

Easter Holiday: Monday, April 1

Easter Holiday follows Good Friday. It is a time for celebration for members of the Christian fold. It marks the resurrection of their saviour, Jesus Christ.

Eid-el-Fitr: 2 days in April

Eid-el-Fitr is a Muslim holiday that constantly changes depending on the position of the firmaments. The government typically declares two days for the holiday, which is determined by the sighting of the moon. It is a time for Muslims to feast after the long month of the Ramadan fast, the annual ritual observed by all Muslims.

International Workers’ Day: Wednesday, May 1

Every year across the globe, the labour force gets a day off on May 1 to rest after long months of working. This year is no different. A good way to spend Workers’ Day, which is also called Labour Day in some cultures, is to honestly stay at home and catch up on old episodes of your favourite TV programs.

Democracy Day: Wednesday, June 12

Democracy Day reminds us of many things, chief among them that we have been with our new president for a year. It's a good day to take stock of how we affect our immediate community and our work. Also, don’t forget to catch President Tinubu’s speech that Wednesday.

Eid-el-Kabir: 2 days in June

Another day for the Muslims to jolly this year is Eid-el-Kabir, also known as Eid-el-Adha. The holiday is a commemoration of Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of submission to God's will, and follows the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Like Eid-el-Fitr, this is also subject to the sighting of the moon.

Eid-el-Maulud: A day in September

Eid-el-Maulud is a public holiday set aside for the celebration of the Muslim Prophet Muhammad’s birthday. The particular day is also subject to when Islamic officials confirm the sighting of the moon.

Nigeria Independence Day: Tuesday, October 1

Nigeria Independence Day is one of those holidays that we are supposed to look up to and plan our calendar around. But the steep economic decline and japa-craze have made it a gloomy day. You can take this year’s to reflect on how we can solve our problems in the country.

Christmas Day: Wednesday, December 25

Then we have the big one, Christmas Day. Though originally a Christian holiday, Christmas Day has metamorphosed into an exciting end-of-year event, largely due to high-powered marketing campaigns in the West. But also because it signals the end of work, when activities at the office begin to slow down, and we are finally permitted to reply to emails late or not reply to emails at all.

Boxing Day: Thursday, December 26

Following Christmas Day is its counterpart, Boxing Day, when we are supposed to open our gifts from the previous day. This is a good day to be outside with friends and family.